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Khalid bin Salman in Iran, Hands Khamenei Message from King Salman

This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
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Khalid bin Salman in Iran, Hands Khamenei Message from King Salman

This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks in Tehran on Thursday with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid said he was visiting Iran at the directives of the Saudi leadership, revealing that he had handed Khamenei a written message from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

He added that he discussed with Khamenei issues of common interest and bilateral relations between their countries.

“Ties with Saudi Arabia are beneficial for both countries and we can complement each other,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iran’s Tasnim news agency,

The meeting was attended by chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri.

Prince Khalid was received by Bagheri upon his arrival in Tehran.

“Relations with Saudi Arabia have been witnessing growth and development since the signing of the Beijing Agreement,” Bagheri was quoted as saying by Iranian media.

Tehran and Riyadh can play an important role in ensuring regional security, he added.

Moreover, he said his country was ready to develop defense ties with the Kingdom.

Tehran also “appreciates Saudi Arabia’s position towards Gaza and Palestine,” he said, according to Tasnim.

Prince Khalid’s visit comes amid major regional and international developments.

Saudi and Iranian officials are set to sit down for talks on a number of issues, while Prince Khalid will hold several meetings focused on bilateral relations between Riyadh and Tehran.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks last week with Pezeshkian that covered regional developments and issues of common interests.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqhchi held telephone talks on Monday.

This is second visit by a Saudi defense minister to Tehran since 1979 when late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz for four days in 1999.

Prince Khalid is the highest-ranking official from the Kingdom to visit Iran since the two countries reached a Chinese-mediated détente in March 2023. FM Prince Faisal visited later that year.

Saudi political analyst Abdel Latif al-Melhem said Prince Khalid’s visit reflects the Saudi leadership’s keenness on bolstering and developing ties with Iran in line with the Beijing Agreement.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi leadership is seeking to achieve peace and prosperity in the region and close the chapter of regional conflicts and embark on a phase of stability and security.

He noted that the development of relations between Riyadh and Tehran can be attributed to the efforts led by Crown Prince Mohammed to achieve peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.

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Gulf

Riyadh to Host UNITAR’s First Cybersecurity Office

The office will help address global cybersecurity capacity gaps. (National Cybersecurity Authority) 
The office will help address global cybersecurity capacity gaps. (National Cybersecurity Authority) 
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Riyadh to Host UNITAR’s First Cybersecurity Office

The office will help address global cybersecurity capacity gaps. (National Cybersecurity Authority) 
The office will help address global cybersecurity capacity gaps. (National Cybersecurity Authority) 

The United Nations has selected Riyadh as the headquarters of the first cybersecurity-focused office of its training and research arm, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in the sector and the success of its cybersecurity model at the national, regional and international levels.

The office will spearhead initiatives and projects focused on capacity building, policy development, and joint research and development programs, helping to strengthen the skills of a broad range of beneficiaries and specialists while advancing cybersecurity globally.

Its objectives align with the Global Initiative for Building Cyber Capacities, launched by Saudi Arabia in partnership with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, particularly through research and development programs, training courses and workshops aimed at enhancing the capabilities of policymakers, law enforcement officials, diplomats and cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

Musaed Al Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the NCA Board of Directors, praised the support the sector receives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

He said the selection reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to promoting international cooperation and joint action in cybersecurity.

Al Aiban added that the decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the strategic sector and the achievements of its cybersecurity model since the establishment of the NCA as the country’s competent authority and national reference body for cybersecurity. He also highlighted the creation of the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) as the authority’s strategic and technical partner in developing the sector.

Saudi Arabia has established a strong track record in supporting strategic cybersecurity initiatives, further cementing its standing as a preferred destination for international organizations and institutions, Al Aiban underlined. He added that the Kingdom has long championed international initiatives aimed at enhancing the stability of cyberspace, contributing to societal prosperity, economic growth and human well-being worldwide.

For his part, Majed Al Mazyed, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, said the UN’s decision further reflects Saudi Arabia’s internationally recognized leadership in cybersecurity, as evidenced by a range of global benchmarks.

He noted that Saudi Arabia retained its position as the world’s top-ranked country in cybersecurity for a second consecutive year in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025. He also pointed to the Kingdom’s designation by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency for information and communication technologies, as a “Role Model” in the highest tier of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024.

Michelle McDonough, Executive Director of UNITAR, said the launch of the institute’s first cybersecurity office and the choice of Riyadh as its headquarters underscore Saudi Arabia’s leadership and its pivotal role in advancing international cybersecurity efforts.

She added that the office will work with partners to address cybersecurity capacity gaps globally and help transform shared risks into shared resilience by connecting institutions and organizations across regions.

Saudi Arabia already hosts several regional and international cybersecurity bodies, including the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council, the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation, and the Cyber Economics Center, established through a partnership between the foundation and the World Economic Forum.

Gulf

UAE Categorically Denies Reports Alleging the Transfer of Funds to Iran

A view of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
A view of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
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UAE Categorically Denies Reports Alleging the Transfer of Funds to Iran

A view of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
A view of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates categorically denied on Friday media reports alleging the transfer of funds from the UAE to Iran, including allegations concerning USD 3 billion.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these allegations are “entirely false and unfounded”, stressing that “no frozen Iranian funds have been released, transferred, or facilitated through the UAE.”

The Ministry called on media outlets “to exercise accuracy, rely on official sources, and refrain from publishing or circulating unverified information and unfounded allegations,” reported the UAE's state news agency WAM.

Gulf

Saudi Referee Abdullah Al-Shehri Calls 2026 World Cup Selection an ‘Exceptional’ Milestone

Saudi referee Abdullah Al-Shehri. (SPA)
Saudi referee Abdullah Al-Shehri. (SPA)
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Saudi Referee Abdullah Al-Shehri Calls 2026 World Cup Selection an ‘Exceptional’ Milestone

Saudi referee Abdullah Al-Shehri. (SPA)
Saudi referee Abdullah Al-Shehri. (SPA)

Saudi referee Abdullah Al-Shehri described his selection to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as an “exceptional” career milestone, expressing deep pride in representing the Kingdom among the world's elite officials at football's premier global tournament.

Al-Shehri told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the selection not merely as a personal triumph, but as the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and continuous support.

"Participating in this tournament means a great deal to me. As a Saudi citizen, it is a tremendous honor to be present and represent the Kingdom among the world's best referees," Al-Shehri said.

"This is a great honor and a huge responsibility, and I am committed to representing my country to the best of my ability," he added.

He hoped that his participation will serve as a powerful motivation for the next generation of Saudi referees striving to reach international tournaments.

Commenting on the rigorous demands of the global stage, Al-Shehri stressed that World Cup officiating requires peak physical and mental readiness.

He credited his foundational training at the AFC Referees Academy for providing the confidence and skill development necessary to compete at the highest level of the sport.