عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi FM: Our US Partnership is Continuous, No Military Cooperation with Israel

The Saudi Foreign Minister speaks at a press conference at the conclusion of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (AFP)
The Saudi Foreign Minister speaks at a press conference at the conclusion of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (AFP)
TT
TT

Saudi FM: Our US Partnership is Continuous, No Military Cooperation with Israel

The Saudi Foreign Minister speaks at a press conference at the conclusion of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (AFP)
The Saudi Foreign Minister speaks at a press conference at the conclusion of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the Kingdom’s hand is extended to Iran to reach normal relations, pointing out that the talks with Iran were positive, but did not reach any results.

“We are keen on finding a path to normal relations with neighboring Iran, and this is fundamentally linked to getting understandings that address sources of concern regarding Iranian activities, not only in Saudi Arabia, but with all countries in the region,” said the top Saudi diplomat in a presser at the end of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit.

The Summit was held in the presence of US President Joe Biden, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, and the leaders of Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan.

Prince Faisal commended the role of Iraq in catalyzing the rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh, and voiced Saudi Arabia’s hopes for “positive developments” in the future.

Furthermore, the Saudi FM said that no type of military or technical cooperation with Israel was raised or discussed and that there is no such thing as an “Arab NATO,” reiterating that there was no discussion of a “defensive alliance” with Israel.

Prince Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia had, five years ago, presented a proposal for establishing a joint Arab defense system.

Although the proposal wasn’t discussed at the Jeddah Summit, military and defense coordination among Arab countries remains a priority for the Kingdom.

The top diplomat also said that the US remains a main strategic partner, stressing that “the kingdom’s partnership with America is old and continuous... and the agreements we signed with America did not come to fruition overnight.”

He also noted that the joint Arab action system has reached a stage of “maturity”, saying: “We know what we want, and we know how to achieve it... We do not wait for anyone to fulfill our needs.”

Regarding the Yemeni crisis, Prince Faisal said: “We are working seriously to reach a comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen, and the Houthis must understand that Yemen’s interest is in peace and stability.”

“Iranian weapons are part of the reasons for the continuing conflict in Yemen,” he added.

Moving on, he said that Saudi Arabia’s maximum oil production capacity is 13 million barrels and called for a balanced approach to reach “zero neutrality,” adding that many countries cannot convert to renewable energy quickly.

Regarding the global food crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine, Prince Faisal said: “At the Jeddah Security and Development Summit, we discussed the issue of food and grains, and we are working to increase the level of coordination between Arab countries to ensure food security.”

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

GCC Strongly Condemns Iran Attack on Qatari Tanker in Hormuz

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
TT
TT

GCC Strongly Condemns Iran Attack on Qatari Tanker in Hormuz

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned on Tuesday the “brutal Iranian” on Qatar’s “Al Rekayyat” tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, he said the continued attacks are a “dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region.”

He called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities and take a firm and deterrent stance against these repeated Iranian attacks, in a manner that protects regional and international peace and security, as well as prevents the recurrence of such hostile acts.”

“The GCC stands as one with Qatar, expressing its full solidarity with the country in all measures it takes to confront this treacherous Iranian behavior,” he added.

Albudaiwi also slammed the terrorist attack that targeted the Syrian capital, Damascus, earlier on Tuesday.

He reiterated the GCC’s firm position in “rejecting all forms of terrorism and extremism,” stressing the need for “concerted regional and international efforts to eliminate terrorism and dry up its sources.”

He expressed the GCC’s solidarity with Syria in all measures it takes to protect its security and stability.

Gulf

Three Ships Struck in Hormuz Flare-Up, Qatar Slams Iran

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Three Ships Struck in Hormuz Flare-Up, Qatar Slams Iran

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)

Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime monitors and Qatar said on Tuesday, with peace mediator Doha denouncing an "unacceptable" Iranian attack.

An "unknown projectile" hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, British maritime security agency UKMTO said.

The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation after Iran lifted its blockade of the vital waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States.

All three vessels were struck close to Oman. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway.

Qatar, which helped broker the truce, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to "cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation".

"The targeting of the Qatari vessel 'Al-Rekayyat' while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation," Doha's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X.

"We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions," he added.

The attacks came despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran in the Middle East war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February.

The future of Hormuz, the main route for Gulf energy exports, has been a sticking point during talks between Tehran and Washington to permanently end the conflict.

- 'Clear signal' -

"We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to an Iranian toll or fee system are being explored," Andreas Krieg, a security expert at King's College London, told AFP.

"Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted.

"Tankers trying to diverge through the Omani maritime corridor without registering with the Iranian authority will be punished," Krieg added, calling it a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement and international law.

US news outlet Axios reported late Monday that Iran had "fired at least two missiles at commercial ships", citing two unnamed US officials.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Maritime traffic had tentatively resumed after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategic route.

However, Iran has insisted there will be no return to pre-war arrangements, under which vessels could pass freely through the strait.

Under the 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Iran and Oman, which border Hormuz, must hold talks "to define the future administration and maritime services" in the key waterway with other Gulf states.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack Targeting Damascus

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

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack Targeting Damascus

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 strongest condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that targeted the Syrian capital, Damascus, and resulted in the injury of a number of security personnel and civilians while security authorities were attempting to dismantle two explosive devices planted by a terrorist cell, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi underscored that the GCC renews its firm position rejecting all forms of terrorism and extremism, stressing the need for concerted regional and international efforts to eliminate terrorism and dry up its sources, in a manner that leads to enhancing security and stability and safeguarding the security and safety of states.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi expressed the GCC’s solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic in all measures it takes to protect its security and stability, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery and praying that Syria and its people be protected from all harm.