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UAE, S.Korea Leaders Discuss Cooperation Relations, Strategic Projects

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
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UAE, S.Korea Leaders Discuss Cooperation Relations, Strategic Projects

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, opportunities to develop strategic cooperation to broader horizons in various fields within the framework of the Special Strategic Partnership.

Sheikh Mohammed met with the President of Korea, who is on a multi-day visit to the UAE, his first visit since assuming his presidential duties. They also engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues.

They discussed various tracks of cooperation and developments in investment, economic, scientific, cultural, and advanced technology, in addition to renewable energy and other vital areas of interest for both countries.

Sheikh Mohammed said UAE and Korea have a close strategic partnership that extended back over forty years and rose to a unique strategic alliance in 2018. He lauded the level of collaboration between the two countries.

He referred to one of the most important strategic development projects, the peaceful nuclear energy production project at the Barakah plant.

The UAE aims to expand and strengthen its relations with Korea during the coming period in areas of common interest, including traditional energy, clean energy, economy, investment, defense technology, and others.

For his part, the Korean President stressed the importance of boosting strategic cooperation in key areas, including peaceful nuclear energy, energy, investment, and defense industries, to develop prospects for bilateral relations.

The two parties witnessed the exchange and announcement of several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation in various fields considering the distinguished strategic ties binding the two countries.

The agreements and MoUs announced included an MoU in hydrogen energy use in cities, its production, transmission, and storage between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

An MoU was exchanged between the UAE Space Agency and Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology regarding the amendment of an MoU signed in January 2017 regarding cooperation in space exploration and its use for peaceful purposes.

The two countries also signed an MoU on cooperation in water resources between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Korean Ministry of Environment.

It also included implementation arrangements under the agreement concluded between the two governments for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The Mubadala Investment Company and the Korea Development Bank signed an MoU regarding the "sovereign investment partnership" and another MoU on financial cooperation between TAQA and the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

The meetings also witnessed a joint declaration between the two governments regarding enhancing cooperation in energy through a strategic energy partnership.

They also signed agreements on strategic cooperation for the defense industry and cooperation in crude oil storage for "strategic and commercial storage."

The two parties exchanged MoUs on establishing joint strategic working groups for the Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Program and another regarding the voluntary partnership in carbon markets in Asia.

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Gulf

Iran Threatens Energy Security with Attacks on Gulf Oil Tankers

Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
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Iran Threatens Energy Security with Attacks on Gulf Oil Tankers

Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 

Iran escalated its military operations in the region on Wednesday, targeting Gulf states and oil tankers in regional waters in attacks widely seen as a direct threat to energy security and international navigation.

Gulf air defenses intercepted dozens of missiles and drones, with officials stressing a high level of readiness to protect airspace and critical infrastructure while minimizing damage.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry spokesman, Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki, said four drones had been intercepted and destroyed in recent hours.

In two separate statements, al-Maliki confirmed the success of the operations, underscoring the armed forces’ readiness to defend the Kingdom’s airspace and counter various threats, with no damage reported.

Riyadh also reiterated its strong condemnation of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression” against the Kingdom, Arab states and the wider region during the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, held via videoconference.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud stressed the importance of strengthening Arab security cooperation and coordinating efforts to confront evolving threats and combat crime in all its forms to safeguard regional stability.

Kuwait

A drone attack by Iran and allied groups targeting fuel tanks at the Kuwait International Airport triggered a large fire on Wednesday but caused no casualties.

Kuwait News Agency quoted civil aviation spokesman Abdullah al-Rajhi as saying rescue teams responded immediately, with initial reports indicating material damage to facilities operated by Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company (KAFCO).

Britain affirmed its support for Kuwait’s security amid the current situation, pledging to stand by the country against any threats to its sovereignty, stability and safety.

The message was conveyed from King Charles III to Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and delivered by British ambassador Qudsi Rasheed to Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Defense Force said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles and 19 drones in recent hours.

The General Command added that since the start of the Iranian attacks, 186 missiles and 419 drones had been intercepted. It said the use of such weapons against civilian sites and private property constitute a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter and pose a direct threat to regional peace and security.

The interior ministry said firefighters had extinguished a blaze at a company facility caused by what it described as Iranian aggression.

Bahrain’s National Communication Center urged the public to follow official guidance, verify information accuracy and avoid spreading rumors amid the ongoing attacks.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran.

Falling debris from an intercepted drone killed an Asian national on a farm in Fujairah, authorities said. The victim was identified as a Bangladeshi citizen.

The Fujairah government media office said emergency teams responded to the incident in the Al-Rifaa area following the successful interception.

Official figures showed that since the start of the attacks, UAE defenses had dealt with 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 drones. The assaults have killed two members of the armed forces while on duty, a Moroccan civilian contractor working with the military, and nine other civilians.

Qatar and maritime incidents

Qatar’s defense ministry said the country had been targeted by three Iranian cruise missiles. Air defenses intercepted two, while the third struck an oil tanker chartered by QatarEnergy in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Authorities coordinated the evacuation of the vessel, which carried a crew of 21, with no casualties reported.

In a related development, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a new security incident in Gulf waters.

According to the organization, the incident occurred 17 nautical miles north of Ras Laffan. A company security officer said the tanker was hit on its port side, causing damage above the waterline without injuries among the crew.

In a later update, the organization said the vessel had in fact been struck twice. One impact caused a fire that was later extinguished, while a second projectile remained unexploded in the engine room, with authorities working to secure it and investigate the incident.

On Tuesday, Iran targeted the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker “Al-Salmi” while it was anchored off the United Arab Emirates outside Dubai port. Several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were also attacked using armed boats, missiles and drones.

 

 

Gulf

Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
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Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed on Wednesday the regional escalations and their impact on regional and global security during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders addressed the implications of rising tensions, including their impact on global markets, international maritime security, the world economy, and supply chains. They exchanged views on the broader consequences of the current escalation.

The two sides also addressed the ongoing Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates and several countries in the region, including strikes on civilians, critical facilities, and infrastructure. They stressed that such actions represent a breach of national sovereignty and international law and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability.

On Wednesday, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran on its territories.

It added that a total of 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2,012 drones have been intercepted since the start of these attacks on February 28.

The attacks killed two armed forces personnel and 10 civilians of various nationalities, and injured 190 others. The ministry said it remains on high alert and ready to respond decisively to any threats to national security, sovereignty, and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister, UN Secretary-General Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, UN Secretary-General Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received a phone call on Wednesday from Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, where discussions focused on the latest developments in the region and the ongoing international efforts to address the situation.

Iran continues to carry out hostile attacks against Gulf countries and the wider region since February 28, in response to US and Israeli strikes. These actions have drawn widespread international condemnation along with expressions of solidarity with the affected countries.

On March 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution strongly condemning Iran’s continued attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan, describing them as violations of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.

Security Council Resolution No. 2817, which was approved by 136 countries, affirmed the right of affected states to individual or collective self-defense, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and called on Tehran to immediately cease all attacks.