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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Underscore Joint Rights to Durra Field Resources

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al Sabah received the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi. (Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al Sabah received the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi. (Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Underscore Joint Rights to Durra Field Resources

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al Sabah received the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi. (Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al Sabah received the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi. (Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reaffirmed that the ownership of the natural resources in the divided submerged area in the Arabian Gulf, including the entire Al-Durra field, was joint ownership between the two countries.  

The two Gulf states renewed “their previous and repeated calls” to Iran to negotiate the eastern border of the submerged area divided between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as one negotiating party, and the Iranians as another party, in line with international law and the principles of good neighborliness, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.  

Kuwait announced its readiness to take “any procedures or measures”, including negotiations to conclude international treaties and agreements, to guarantee the joint rights of the submerged Durra field, which contains huge amounts of gas.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Acting Minister of Finance Saad Al-Barrak said, in response to a parliamentary question on Thursday, that the Iranian claims regarding the Durra field “do not negate the validity of the facts on the ground, which confirm the joint ownership of the field by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.”  

Al-Barrak confirmed that the Ministry of Oil was constantly coordinating and consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and providing it with all data and technical information in order to collect elements that would have an impact on Kuwait’s foreign policy with Iran regarding Al-Durra field.  

“The offshore Durra gas field was discovered in 1967 and is located entirely in the submerged area divided between Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He added that in March 2022, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia concluded an agreement to develop the field through one company, with a capacity of one billion cubic feet and 84,000 barrels of condensate per day, based on the MoU signed between them on December 24, 2019.  

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al Sabah received a copy of the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi, during a meeting that was held on Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

A statement said the officials discussed bilateral relations, revealing that the Kuwaiti minister received a letter from his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, which included a formal invitation to visit Iran.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Issues Royal Orders Appointing New Ministers, Governors

File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Issues Royal Orders Appointing New Ministers, Governors

File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a series of Royal Decrees on Thursday including a decree appointing Fahd Al Saif as the new investment minister, replacing Khalid Al-Falih.

Al Saif was previously head of the PIF's investment strategy and economic insights division. Al-Falih has instead been appointed as a Minister of State and a member of the cabinet.

Other Royal Decrees were also issued as follows:

Abdullah Al-Maghlouth shall be appointed Vice Minister of Media.
Abdulmohsen Al-Mazyad shall be appointed Vice Minister of Tourism.
Khalid Al-Yousef shall be appointed Attorney General.
Sheikh Ali Al-Ahaideb shall be appointed President of the Board of Grievances.
Faihan Al-Sahli shall be appointed Director General of the General Directorate of Investigation.
Abdulaziz Al-Arifi shall be appointed Governor of the National Development Fund.
Haytham Al-Ohali shall be appointed Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Fawaz Al-Sahli shall be appointed President of the Transport General Authority.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Governor General of Canada Mary Simon over the deadly school shooting in Western Canada.

The Saudi King condemned the heinous criminal act and expressed to the Governor General, the families of the victims, and the friendly people of Canada his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar cable of condolences to the Governor General.

Gulf

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
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Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.