Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Asharq Al-Awsat: Khalid bin Salman’s Visit Is Very Important

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on Friday. (Prince Khalid bin Salman on X)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on Friday. (Prince Khalid bin Salman on X)
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Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Asharq Al-Awsat: Khalid bin Salman’s Visit Is Very Important

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on Friday. (Prince Khalid bin Salman on X)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on Friday. (Prince Khalid bin Salman on X)

Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati described as “very important” Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman’s visit to Tehran on Friday.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he noted Prince Khalid’s meetings with senior Iranian officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.

The visit is evidence that bilateral relations are moving forward at a rapid pace since they were restored less than two years ago, he added.

Speaking from Tehran, Enayati hoped that the visit would have a positive impact in the region, underlining Saudi Arabia and Iran’s importance in the region.

Prince Khalid met in Tehran with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, and Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) General Ali Akbar Ahmadian

Discussions focused on the “fruitful, constructive and positive” relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, continued Enayati.

They also tackled issues that concern the region and its security and stability, as well as support to the Palestinian cause, he remarked.

Prince Khalid traveled to Iran at the directives of the Saudi leadership. He 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.

Enayati stressed the need for Saudi Arabia and Iran to invest their major capabilities in developing relations.

Khamenei underscored the importance of Saudi-Iranian ties and the need for their continuity for the interests of all parties, the ambassador said.

Prince Khalid’s visit reflects the determination of both countries to develop and bolster their ties further.

The region, he stressed, needs solidarity between its nations, especially between Saudi Arabia and Iran, added Enayati.



Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
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Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari, on behalf of Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, inspected on Monday the readiness of Armed Forces units involved in this year’s Hajj across the holy sites to ensure support for security and government agencies serving pilgrims.

The tour included the air force detachment at Arafat Airport, Ministry of Defense camps, religious affairs facilities, military police operations at the Grand Mosque, Armed Forces headquarters in Al-Awali, and the Defense Ministry’s field hospital in Mina.

Al-Omari reviewed operational plans, awareness programs, crowd management efforts, and medical preparedness to support pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

The Military Police of the Royal Saudi Land Forces is participating in the Ministry of Defense's comprehensive Hajj plan, coordinating with internal security forces to manage crowd movement in the Grand Mosque's courtyards, oversee the Grand Mosque's gates, and organize the flow of pilgrims arriving from Mina, ensuring smooth movement during peak times.

The participating force underwent intensive training and exercises simulating various scenarios to boost its capacity for effective response and crowd management in coordination with relevant security entities.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the “heinous terrorist” attack targeting a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom reiterates its “complete rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism and strongly condemns attempts to undermine the security and stability of Pakistan and its people.”

It expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan.

An explosion targeted a train in Balochistan's provincial capital, Quetta, on Sunday, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 50 others, according to officials.


Saudi Health Minister Visits Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Health Minister Visits Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visited on Monday the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat, where he reviewed the hospital’s readiness and the healthcare services provided during the Hajj.

He was briefed on the hospital’s operational capacity, service delivery pathways, and procedures for handling urgent and emergency cases, including heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The briefing also covered resuscitation services, short-term intensive care, medical observation, infection control measures, and preventive medicine services.

The minister reviewed the latest operational developments at the field hospital and its role in supporting the healthcare provider network in Arafat, as well as improving the efficiency of healthcare services provided to pilgrims and security personnel during the Hajj season.

The visit comes within the framework of coordination and integration among health authorities involved in the Hajj and reflects a commitment to boosting field readiness to serve pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals safely.