Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Unveil Coordination Council

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Unveil Coordination Council

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)

In a new step for bilateral integration, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signed Sunday the minutes of the establishment of their Coordination Council that would be tasked with coordinating various political, military, economic, investment, media and social stances between them.

The signing came as Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in Manama on Sunday.

“The Council is important for enhancing coordination, cooperation and complementarity between the two countries in various political, economic, investment, development, military and security fields, as well as in following up on the progress of work in all joint projects and initiatives, within the two kingdoms’ deep-rooted relations,” the Bahraini King said, wishing the council every success in bringing about more prosperity for the two brotherly peoples and countries.

King Hamad expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, praising the constant efforts of Saudi Arabia, under his leadership, to support Bahrain and its people.

He also stressed the depth of the long-standing solid Saudi-Bahraini relations, which are based on strong pillars of fraternity, as well as common visions, understanding and coordination.

He hailed Saudi Arabia’s role in strengthening joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) action, as well as its keenness on defending Arab and Islamic interests and strengthening the pillars of peace, security and stability region wide, affirming that Bahrain will always remain with Saudi Arabia, out of its belief in the two kingdoms’ common goal and destiny.

During his visit, Assaf also held talks with his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who said Saudi Arabia is the pillar and backbone of stability in the region.

Its stances will always bear witness to the highest sense of fraternity and the common destiny that brings the two countries together, he declared.

“The establishment of the Coordination Council between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a new strategic initiative that will reinforce the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation at all levels,” he said.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.