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One Year Since the Detection of 1st Covid-19 Case In Saudi Arabia

A security woman checks the temperature of a woman at Riyadh International Airport, after Saudi Arabia reopened domestic flights, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A security woman checks the temperature of a woman at Riyadh International Airport, after Saudi Arabia reopened domestic flights, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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One Year Since the Detection of 1st Covid-19 Case In Saudi Arabia

A security woman checks the temperature of a woman at Riyadh International Airport, after Saudi Arabia reopened domestic flights, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A security woman checks the temperature of a woman at Riyadh International Airport, after Saudi Arabia reopened domestic flights, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia recorded its first Covid-19 infection of a citizen returning from Iran on March 2, 2020, after which cases began to increase reaching around 5,000 infections per day.

Today, a year after the first case, the epidemic curve is flat between 300 and 400 daily infections. These figures come following a period during which Saudi Arabia recorded the lowest level of cases, around 100 per day, to later witness a rise at the beginning of 2021, forcing the authorities to re-impose precautionary measures and suspend some activities.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that four new vaccines were under study and could be approved, in addition to the two vaccines that are now administered in the large vaccination campaigns within the Kingdom.

A year after the first infection, statistics show that the number of people who got the Covid-19 virus represents more than one percent of the population, with a total number of deaths exceeding 6,000.

The cumulative number of cases reached around 377,000 including 368,000 recoveries.

Saudi Arabia has accelerated the pace of the vaccination campaign by opening dozens of dedicated centers across the country and launching an in-car vaccination service in a number of cities.

The number of doses administered so far has reached nearly 700,000, which represents the vaccination of about one out of every 100 individuals in the country, at the very least.

The Ministry of Interior will begin easing the precautionary measures by the end of this week, in light of the flattening of the epidemic curve over the past two weeks.

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Gulf

GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

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 Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

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

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior regarding regional security and stability, its repeated brutal targeting of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as its dangerous attacks on commercial vessels.

Albudaiwi stated that Iran's behavior constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, as well as a direct undermining of maritime security and freedom of navigation, SPA reported.

He noted that these repeated, brutal Iranian attacks not only hinder all endeavors aimed at achieving security and stability in the region, but also reveal a systematic insistence on perpetuating chaos, in blatant defiance of international law and the international community's shared will to establish peace.

He underlined that the GCC supports all measures taken by the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan to bolster their security, safeguard their sovereignty, and protect their peoples and residents across their territories.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar on Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar on Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the passing of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said in his cable that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dedicated much of his life to serving his country and people.

He extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the late emir's family, and the people of Qatar, praying that the deceased be granted Allah's mercy and forgiveness and that his family be granted patience and solace.

For his part, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, also sent a cable of condolences to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on this sad incident.

In his cable, the Crown Prince said that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had played a significant role in Qatar's development and prosperity.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the late emir's family, praying that Allah Almighty grant the deceased mercy and forgiveness and reward him for his service to his country and people.

Gulf

Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
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Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP

Gulf states condemned on Sunday repeated Iranian attacks targeting Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, saying such assaults represent a blatant violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior toward regional security and stability, its violations of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the principles of good neighborliness.

This includes Iran's repeated attacks on commercial vessels, threatening the security and freedom of navigation, and its continued heinous assaults on Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Jordan.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its categorical rejection of Iran's violation of the sovereignty of brotherly states and its continued threats to regional security and stability.

The Omani government also lambasted on Sunday an attack on its territory, state media announced, with Iran's Guards saying they targeted it during a barrage aimed at countries across the Gulf.

The Oman News Agency said on X that "the Sultanate of Oman affirms its condemnation and denunciation of this attack,” which came just hours after the country hosted Iran's foreign minister to address security issues in the Strait of Hormuz.

Doha too condemned the Iranian attacks against its territory and its neighbors.

"Qatar condemns in the strongest possible terms the renewed attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the foreign ministry said in a statement, also referring to the targeting of Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait and calling the barrages a "dangerous escalation.”

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the egregious Iranian attacks that targeted it. It affirmed that these repeated assaults reflect a persistent hostile approach, constituting a grave violation of Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Furthermore, they represent a clear breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817.

The ministry stressed in a statement that the continuation of attacks constitutes an extremely dangerous escalation, which will increase tension and instability in the region, threaten regional peace and security, and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful resolution of crises.

The ministry reiterated that Kuwait's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are inviolable, and that Kuwait reserves its full rights to take necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the UN Charter.