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Bahrain Hosts Military Conference on Gulf Navigation Security

A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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Bahrain Hosts Military Conference on Gulf Navigation Security

A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Bahrain hosted a conference on Gulf maritime security on Wednesday, after multiple attacks on shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz sent tensions soaring between Iran and the US.

Manama said the meeting was held "to discuss the current regional situation and to strengthen cooperation".

In a statement, it slammed "the repeated attacks and unacceptable practices of Iran and the terrorist groups linked to it."

In light of the recent challenges and threats facing the region, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation, calling upon the international community to assume its role in deterring all threats that target international security and peace.

The closed-door meeting was confirmed by the British Defense Ministry and a spokesman for the US Marines' 5th Fleet on Tuesday. The ministry declined to give details about the agenda, but said that "several international partners" would be participating.

The Guardian reported this week that the UK had called for the meeting in Bahrain with other European countries and the US. 

Bahrain said earlier this month that it and the US would co-host another conference on "maritime and air navigation security", set for October.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday that his country will not participate in a US-led naval security mission in the Gulf.

Washington asked Berlin to help safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's recent seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker.

"The German government will not take part in the maritime mission presented and planned by the United States," Maas said while on an official trip to Poland.

He said Germany disagreed with Washington's approach towards Iran and is not seeking a military escalation to the crisis.

The US and Britain have been seeking to establish a mission to prevent Iran from seizing further oil tankers, after Tehran impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero and the Panama-flagged MT Riah in mid-July in the Strait of Hormuz.

Several EU member states have expressed an interest in the proposal to ensure safe travel of cargo.

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Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Monday from Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

During the call they discussed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of continuing bilateral coordination and consultation in this regard.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Sunday with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations between the GCC and Central Asian states. They also discussed ways to strengthen GCC-Uzbekistan relations and enhance investment and economic cooperation.

Additionally, they exchanged views on international and regional issues, including developments related to Iran and their implications for regional security, underlining the significance of intensifying joint efforts to enhance stability both regionally and globally.

Gulf

Development Projects at Holy Sites Seek to Improve Services for Pilgrims

Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
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Development Projects at Holy Sites Seek to Improve Services for Pilgrims

Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)
Green spaces tripled by planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress (Kidana)

Saudi Arabia’s holy sites are undergoing a wide range of development projects for this year’s Hajj, including infrastructure upgrades as well as service and digital initiatives aimed at ensuring pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and comfort in a safe and spiritual environment.

The projects include expanding green spaces, upgrading rest areas along pedestrian routes, building new two-story restroom complexes in Mina and improving drinking water systems. Together, they are designed to enhance infrastructure efficiency and service facilities in line with pilgrims’ needs and to deliver a more comfortable Hajj experience to the highest standards.

Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, announced Sunday the completion of the second phase of a project to build two-story restroom complexes in Mina.

The phase included replacing existing single-story restroom facilities with 18 new two-story complexes in the Al-Shuaibain area, adding to 61 complexes completed and upgraded during last year’s Hajj season.

With the completion of the second phase, the total number of upgraded complexes has reached 79, comprising 7,838 restrooms - a fourfold increase compared with last year - while reducing waiting times by 75 percent without affecting pilgrims’ accommodation space.

Al-Shuaibain, located in the northern part of Mina, is considered a key area that has seen major development projects to expand capacity and improve services. It is a strategic accommodation zone for pilgrims, with both its eastern and western sections featuring housing complexes and upgraded tents.

The two-story restroom project aims to double the capacity of sanitary facilities in line with the number of pilgrims, reducing waiting times and easing pressure on existing infrastructure while ensuring high-quality, clean and sustainable services.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to develop an integrated system of health services capable of meeting the heavy operational demands of the Hajj season, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, which aim to improve public facilities and provide a smoother, more comfortable pilgrimage.

Green spaces and integrated facilities

Green areas at the holy sites have also been tripled through the planting of 40,000 trees to reduce heat stress, building on an initial phase that saw more than 20,000 trees planted during last year’s Hajj. The total number of trees has now exceeded 60,000 as part of a project aimed at enhancing vegetation cover, supporting environmental sustainability and improving pilgrims’ experience.

Authorities have also developed 36,000 square meters of rest areas along pedestrian routes, adding to more than 30,000 square meters completed in the first phase last year. These areas are equipped with integrated facilities to provide shaded, comfortable environments for pilgrims as they move between ritual sites.

Rest areas include seating zones, service kiosks and modern canopies fitted with misting fans, along with advanced rubber flooring designed to improve comfort. These upgrades are part of broader infrastructure improvements aimed at easing movement and supporting efforts to provide a more comfortable and seamless Hajj journey.

Rubber flooring and modern cooling systems

Traditional misting columns have been replaced with 400 advanced misting fan units in the western plaza of the Jamarat facility, following the replacement of 200 columns last year and the installation of an additional 200 units for this Hajj season.

The new technology provides enhanced cooling capacity, helping to moderate temperatures for up to 180,000 pilgrims per hour as they head to perform the stoning ritual.

Rubber flooring has also been introduced across the holy sites as an innovative engineering solution to improve pilgrims’ comfort, particularly along long pedestrian routes and in high-density areas. The material absorbs shock, reduces strain on ankles and feet, and is designed to be environmentally friendly by lowering surface temperatures, creating cooler and more comfortable walking conditions.