Saudi Arabia, Iraq to Confidently Deepen Coordination, Cooperation

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia, Iraq to Confidently Deepen Coordination, Cooperation

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Thursday that relations shared by the Kingdom and Iraq are recently witnessing positive momentum thanks to the directives of the leaderships of the two countries.

“Saudi Arabia and Iraq are working closely to continue the momentum in bilateral relations, and to deepen coordination and cooperation, especially in the economic and development fields,” said Prince Faisal during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad.

Prince Faisal renewed his country’s support for all efforts made by the Iraqi government aimed at promoting prosperity and stability in Iraq.

The top Saudi diplomat pointed to the importance of activating the Joint Coordination Council between the Kingdom and Iraq to endorse projects in various fields and boost cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors.

Prince Faisal also praised the economic development and growth witnessed by Iraq, as well as the rapid economic development in Saudi Arabia.

He said growth and development are effectively reflected in the creation of great opportunities in the two countries.

The minister noted that this benefits the sustainable prosperity of both Saudis and Iraqis and reflects positively on the entire region.

Furthermore, Prince Faisal underscored the importance of enhancing the security and stability of the region to achieve development goals.

There is close and continuous coordination between Saudi Arabia and Iraq to ensure security and stability through dialogue and promoting common interests, asserted the minister.

Hussein, for his part, stressed that Iraq is looking forward to being supplied with electricity via the Saudi network or that in the Gulf.

He also urged Saudi investment companies to come to Iraq.

Moreover, the Iraqi top diplomat revealed that “cooperation with Saudi Arabia on security and drug control is ongoing.”

Prince Faisal met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi during his trip to Iraq.

He conveyed to Sudani the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.



Russia’s Putin Discusses US-Iran Nuclear Talks with Sultan of Oman

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
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Russia’s Putin Discusses US-Iran Nuclear Talks with Sultan of Oman

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran's nuclear program on Tuesday with the visiting leader of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, a Kremlin official was quoted as saying.

Oman has been mediating between Iran and the United States as President Donald Trump seeks an agreement that would curb Iran's nuclear program, which Washington believes is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon.

"We discussed the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives," Interfax quoted Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov as saying.

"We will see what the result will be. We maintain close contact with our Iranian colleagues. Where we can, we help."

Trump has threatened to bomb Iran unless a deal is reached; Iran denies seeking atomic weapons. Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran in January and is also trying to improve relations with the Trump administration.

Moscow has a role in nuclear talks with Iran as a signatory to a previous nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. Russia has said any US military action against Iran would be illegal.

In televised comments, Putin was shown telling the sultan that Russian energy companies were interested in developing relations with Oman.

It was the second time in less than a week that Putin has met face-to-face with a Middle Eastern leader, following a visit by the emir of Qatar on April 17. Iran's foreign minister visited last week.