Iran Aims to Boost Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Iran Aims to Boost Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)

Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati emphasized his country’s commitment to bolstering economic relations with the Kingdom, to revitalize trade and investment relations.

He made the remarks during a meeting with President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi.

The Saudi Press Agency noted “the absence of trade exchanges between the two countries, despite the significant scale of their foreign trade.”

Saudi Arabia achieved foreign trade exceeding $601 billion in 2022, while Iran’s volume reached nearly $133 billion.

The officials placed considerable importance on seizing the current positive momentum and expeditiously implementing signed agreements, paving the way for a new phase in economic cooperation and to elevate the level of trade exchange given the existing opportunities.

The meeting resulted in a joint understanding to facilitate the re-exchange of trade delegations, promote trade exchanges, and elevate integration in targeted sectors. Additionally, it focused on capitalizing on substantial consumer markets and actively encouraging successful partnerships between business sectors.

The officials encouraged investors in their countries to capitalize on the opportunities and advantages of foreign investment.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.