Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will meet in Beijing on Thursday, sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The officials will meet to activate the agreement reached last month in China to restore diplomatic relations.

The sources said Thursday’s talks have been preceded by a series of three telephone calls between the FMs that tackled the future steps that will be taken between their countries in line with the landmark agreement that was brokered by China, as well as activate other deals between them.

Beijing was chosen for the meeting between the FMs as an extension of its positive role in mediating the agreement and facilitating communication between the Kingdom and Iran, said the sources.

On March 10, the countries agreed to restore ties that had been severed for seven years. They added that the deal will be implemented within 60 days.

They stressed respecting the sovereignty of countries and refraining from meddling in their internal affairs. They agreed to activate all joint deals between them, including cooperation in security, economic, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, youth and sports affairs.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were severed in wake of an attack on the Kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad in January 2016.



Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Wednesday its categorical rejection of Israel’s plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, slamming its ongoing violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements in Palestinian territories, stressing that Israeli authorities must abide by international resolutions.

It reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian cause in line with international resolutions. It renewed its backing of the 2002 Arab peace initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has approved a plan to intensify its operations in Gaza, which would include seizing the enclave, holding on to captured territories, forcibly displacing Palestinians to southern Gaza and taking control of aid distribution along with private security companies.

Israel is also calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to carry out the plan. Israel says the plan will be gradual and will not be implemented until after US President Donald Trump wraps up his visit to the region later this month.