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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 Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.

Gulf

Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.