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Iranian Pilgrims Return to Madinah After 9-Year Hiatus

Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati during the reception of the first batch of Iranian pilgrims at Madinah’s airport (Iranian Embassy)
Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati during the reception of the first batch of Iranian pilgrims at Madinah’s airport (Iranian Embassy)
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Iranian Pilgrims Return to Madinah After 9-Year Hiatus

Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati during the reception of the first batch of Iranian pilgrims at Madinah’s airport (Iranian Embassy)
Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati during the reception of the first batch of Iranian pilgrims at Madinah’s airport (Iranian Embassy)

The first batch of Iranian pilgrims arrived at the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Monday after a hiatus of 9 years. The Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia hailed this as a positive step in Iranian-Saudi relations.
Alireza Enayati, Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh, affirmed that the restart of Umrah trips for Iranians came after an agreement between both nations following the restoration of relations in March 2023, under China's sponsorship.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati stated that the first batch of Iranian pilgrims arrived in Madinah after a farewell by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador in Tehran, Abdullah Al-Anazi.
Enayati mentioned that these trips will continue until the Hajj season, thanking Saudi officials for facilitating the entry process for Iranian pilgrims and expressing the intent to sustain this effort beyond Hajj.
The Iranian Ambassador had immediately vowed to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia upon taking office.
Last December, both countries confirmed their commitment to an agreement reached in March 2023, with China’s support.
They’ve since reopened their embassies and agreed to cooperate more, especially in security and economics.
In November, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince met with Iran’s President on the sidelines of a summit in Riyadh. The Iranian president thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the summit to support the Palestinians amidst current challenges.
Enayati welcomed the Iranian pilgrims’ arrival in Madinah as a positive step for Iranian-Saudi relations. The pilgrims, who hadn't visited in nine years, landed this Monday.
The Iranian diplomat mentioned earlier agreements to ease pilgrimage trips.

Meanwhile, IRNA reported that a group of Iranian pilgrims flew directly from Tehran to Madinah. Farewell ceremonies took place at the Imam Khomeini International Airport, attended by officials including the Saudi Ambassador to Tehran.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Urges Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the terrorist and criminal attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthis against civilian and economic facilities in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, which injured 73 civilians, including women and children.

This came in a speech delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil during an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened to discuss the Houthi militia’s attacks against the Kingdom.

Alwasil warned of the seriousness of the Houthi escalation and its repercussions for regional security. He stressed that the attacks threaten not only the Kingdom’s security, citizens, and assets, but also international navigation and trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He called on the UN Security Council to adopt a clear, firm stance on these attacks and fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

He also stressed the need to ensure the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and to halt all forms of support that enable the Houthi militia to continue its hostile actions and attacks, which threaten regional security and international shipping lanes.

Alwasil reaffirmed the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its security, sovereignty, citizens, residents, and national assets, in line with the UN Charter and international law.

He stressed the Kingdom’s steadfast position regarding Yemen, based on preserving its unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

He stressed the Kingdom’s continued support for a comprehensive, sustainable, Yemeni-led political solution to the Yemeni crisis that achieves security and stability and fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli prime minister's illegal entry into Syria in a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a blatant breach of international law, SPA reported.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of halting Israeli violations and transgressions against Syrian territory and adhering to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.

The Kingdom also reiterated its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.

Gulf

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia
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OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the continued cross-border terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia.

The commission said the attacks deliberately target civilians, including women and children, as well as civilian assets and critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

The commission expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people, stressing the need to protect the safety and security of civilians at all times. It described the Houthi attacks as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, SPA reported.

It also warned that repeated attacks endangering civilians have serious implications for fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to life, security, and physical integrity, and threaten regional peace and stability.

The commission reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right and responsibility under international law to protect its population and civilian infrastructure from unlawful terrorist attacks. It stressed the need to hold the Houthi militia accountable for its grave violations of international law.

The commission also called on the international community, the United Nations, and relevant international and regional mechanisms to unequivocally condemn Houthi attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent their recurrence and escalation.