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Saudi FM: Riyadh, Washington Disagree on Some Issues, Work Together for Region’s Stability

The Saudi Foreign Minister meets his Dutch counterpart in Munich. (SPA)
The Saudi Foreign Minister meets his Dutch counterpart in Munich. (SPA)
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Saudi FM: Riyadh, Washington Disagree on Some Issues, Work Together for Region’s Stability

The Saudi Foreign Minister meets his Dutch counterpart in Munich. (SPA)
The Saudi Foreign Minister meets his Dutch counterpart in Munich. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed that his country’s ties with the United States take into account the national interests of the two countries.

“We disagree with the US on some issues,” he said, but added that Riyadh was working jointly with Washington on security and stability in the region.

Speaking during a panel at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, the minister also touched on Riyadh’s relations with Moscow, especially regarding the Ukrainian crisis, saying: “Our relationship is good with Russia and this is beneficial for everyone to keep the doors of dialogue open.”

Saudi Arabia “is continuing dialogue with Kyiv and Moscow” to find a solution, “but issues between them are complex,” Prince Faisal was quoted by Al-Arabiya TV as saying, noting that there was willingness on both sides to negotiate.

In the same context, he addressed the Iranian file, saying: “We have warned previously of Iran’s drones, and now they are hitting Ukraine.”

On the Iranian nuclear deal, he remarked: “We want the Gulf states to have a say in the agreement.”

“We want to return to the nuclear agreement, but with a comprehensive view and with Gulf participation,” he stressed, adding that the acquisition of a nuclear weapon by an “enemy country prompts everyone to search for their options.”

On Syria, Prince Faisal pointed to an Arab consensus that the current situation there should not continue, stressing the need to find a solution to the issue of Syrian refugees abroad and the humanitarian aspect at home.

Turning to the Palestinian file, he said the ongoing escalation in the occupied territories and the increase of Israeli settlements would not help achieve peace.

The FM held a number of meetings with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan and Austria on the sidelines of his participation in the conference.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Prince Faisal discussed with deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra bilateral relations and international efforts to find a political solution to the Ukrainian-Russian crisis.

During his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Saudi minister reviewed the most prominent topics discussed at the Munich conference and the importance of strengthening multilateral action in order to achieve international peace and security.

Prince Faisal tackled with the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schellenberg, bilateral relations and means to increase coordination on issues of common concern.

The minister also met separately with German Minister of State and Head of Bavarian State Chancellery, Florian Herrmann, and BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse, on the sidelines of the conference.

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Gulf

Kuwait Says Iran Attacked Power and Water Desalination Plant, Causing Damage

Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Kuwait Says Iran Attacked Power and Water Desalination Plant, Causing Damage

Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Vehicles drive along a highway on the outskirts of Kuwait City on July 8, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Kuwait said Friday that Iran attacked a power and water desalination plant, causing widespread damage to the station.

Kuwait’s Electricity Water and Renewable Energy Ministry announced the attack, saying it sparked a fire and “damage to a large number of electricity generation units.”

Kuwait said it extinguished the blaze and was working to assess the damage and get the station working again.

Gulf

Qatar Says Child Injured as Missile Attack Intercepted

A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Qatar Says Child Injured as Missile Attack Intercepted

A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)
A visitor to the Museum of Islamic Art takes pictures of the skyline of highrise buildings in Doha on July 9, 2026. (AFP)

Qatar announced Friday that its army had intercepted a missile attack, with falling debris injuring a child.

"The Ministry of Defense... announces that the armed forces have intercepted a missile attack that targeted the State of Qatar," the ministry wrote on X.

A child was injured by falling debris after the interception, the interior ministry later reported.

Iran has targeted several Gulf countries since hostilities with the United States resumed on July 7, claiming to be aiming at American military installations.

Qatar, a mediator in talks with the United States alongside Pakistan and host to the largest American base in the Middle East, was targeted on Sunday for the first time since the April truce.

Gulf

Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
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Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt

Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)

Iranian attacks on Gulf states have intensified sharply in recent days, with Kuwait bearing the brunt as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed and tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz.

From the renewed escalation last Wednesday through early Thursday, Kuwaiti forces detected about 77 hostile drones and 18 missiles in the country’s airspace, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat tally.

The missiles included eight ballistic missiles and 10 cruise missiles. Kuwaiti forces intercepted or otherwise dealt with the threats.

The latest attacks stood out for causing casualties and damage.

Kuwait said several Iranian strikes targeted vital facilities and scattered debris across multiple locations, causing material damage and injuring six people, including four members of the Kuwaiti armed forces.

Three land border posts in northern Kuwait were also attacked, causing further damage and one injury.

Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah checks on the health condition of those injured as a result of the Iranian aggression. KUNA

Kuwait’s consulate general in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was targeted again on Monday.

Kuwait condemned the attack and acknowledged the Iraqi government’s efforts to confront such incidents. It also called for “immediate and decisive” action to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a recurrence.

The continued attacks drew broad condemnation and expressions of solidarity from Gulf states.

Calls to strike back at launch sites

Academic and political researcher Ayed al-Manaa said Gulf Cooperation Council states should prepare for further Iranian retaliation following US attacks.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Manaa urged Gulf states to respond to the sources of fire rather than remain on the defensive.

He said the escalation showed that Tehran had gone too far, particularly during the 40-day war.

Iran, he added, could retaliate against nearby US forces or Israel instead of targeting Gulf states.

Al-Manaa said Iran’s conduct reflected a lack of respect for Gulf sovereignty and a disregard for fraternal ties, neighborly relations and shared religious bonds.

Gulf states are peaceful countries that maintain normal relations, trade and neighborly ties with Iran, he said.

Tehran had treated that position with disdain, he added, making it necessary for Gulf states to raise their level of readiness and prepare to confront and respond to further attacks.

Fragile truce, vague memorandum

Political analyst Khaled al-Habbas said the renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, and the failure of the ceasefire to hold, showed that the memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June was broad and highly ambiguous.

He said the uncertainty was most evident in provisions dealing with the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions on Tehran and its frozen assets.

Al-Habbas said other factors were also driving the crisis.

These included “the deep hostility and mistrust between the two sides, the aggressive nature of the Iranian regime and the sharp divisions between hardline leaders within the Revolutionary Guards and other officials who support negotiations with the United States.”

Doubts over Iran’s commitment to a deal

“The continuation of Iranian aggression against some Gulf states, alongside attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, indicates that the Iranian side is not serious about reaching a final agreement,” al-Habbas said.

He said the negotiations also faced major obstacles, while the ceasefire remained fragile.

Tension and instability would therefore continue to define the regional landscape for now, he added.

Al-Habbas did not rule out further exchanges of military action in the region, although he said both sides appeared keen to avoid a return to full-scale war.

“The danger remains, however, and all possibilities are still open. This is why Gulf states are following these developments with concern,” he said.

He praised Gulf states for successfully confronting Iranian attacks while continuing to support diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to war and the risks it would pose to the region.

Al-Habbas called for greater regional and international diplomatic pressure on Iran to isolate it politically and expose what he described as its aggression.

He said Iran should be held responsible for the damage caused by “this blatant aggression,” while Gulf states retained the right to defend themselves at a time and place of their choosing.