Saudi Arabia Urges Practical Measures against Israel’s Impeding of Peace

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Practical Measures against Israel’s Impeding of Peace

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s call on the international community to “swiftly take practical steps to tackle Israeli intransigence, which is deliberately prolonging the crisis in Gaza and undermining regional and international peace efforts.”

The cabinet welcomed the statement by international partners calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the safe delivery of that aid to the population.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet session that was held in Jeddah.

The cabinet was briefed on a message received by King Salman from King Mswati III of Eswatini, as well as a phone call received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Crown Prince Mohammed reiterated the consistent and supportive positions toward Syria and its brotherly people and condemned the blatant Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and interference in its internal affairs.

The cabinet emphasized the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several other countries on developments in Syria and their collective efforts to support the Syrian government in rebuilding the country and ensuring its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty.

The cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's ongoing relief and humanitarian efforts for the Syrian people. These efforts, carried out through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), reflect Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Arab and Islamic nations and its leading global role in assisting those in need and affected populations.

The cabinet welcomed the signing of a declaration of principles between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance, hoping it would serve as a positive step toward improving humanitarian and economic conditions, ultimately contributing to international peace and security.

The cabinet also welcomed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at developing an integrated system for exporting renewable energy and green hydrogen from Saudi Arabia to Europe. This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering role in enhancing global logistics connectivity and its leadership in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project.

The cabinet commended the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program for its strong performance and achievement of multiple objectives. The program has significantly contributed to non-oil GDP, created diverse job opportunities, enabled investments in strategic sectors, and expanded the localization of various industries across the Kingdom.

The cabinet commended the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program for its remarkable accomplishments, having provided care for 150 twins from 27 countries and successfully performed 65 separation surgeries. The program embodies Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian mission and its standing as a global leader in this specialized medical field.

The cabinet viewed Saudi Arabia’s election as chair of international associations and committees within the World Intellectual Property Organization as an affirmation of its pioneering position and influential role in multilateral efforts, reflecting the trust and appreciation it enjoys globally.

The cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia's aspiration to strengthen international cooperation, keep pace with rapid scientific and technological developments, and achieve progress and prosperity by hosting the eighth edition of the Global Health Exhibition and the Global Symposium for Regulators.

The cabinet also noted Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Conference in 2027, which reinforces the Kingdom's position as a global center for governance and oversight, reaffirms its leadership in developing the internal audit profession, and empowers its practices across both the public and private sectors.



Saudi FM, Iranian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi FM, Iranian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.

During the call, they discussed the latest regional developments and the efforts to maintain the region's security and stability, SPA said.


US-Gulf Draft UN Resolution to Hold Iran Accountable over Hormuz Closure

A UN Security Council session held on March 12 (Reuters)
A UN Security Council session held on March 12 (Reuters)
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US-Gulf Draft UN Resolution to Hold Iran Accountable over Hormuz Closure

A UN Security Council session held on March 12 (Reuters)
A UN Security Council session held on March 12 (Reuters)

The United States and Bahrain have begun drafting a UN Security Council resolution aimed at holding Iran accountable for closing the Strait of Hormuz and advancing international efforts to reopen it to commercial shipping.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, speaking during a phone press conference on Monday, said the draft states that the Security Council strongly condemns repeated attacks and threats by Iran against commercial vessels, as well as actions aimed at obstructing lawful transit through the Strait of Hormuz. These include the laying of naval mines and the imposition of illegal fees on ships.

The proposal determines that such actions constitute a threat to international peace and security, opening the possibility of placing the resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and, consequently, the potential adoption of enforcement measures at a later stage.

It affirms the right of all ships and aircraft to transit the Strait of Hormuz without unlawful interference, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It further calls on Iran to immediately cease all attacks or threats directed against commercial shipping, as well as any attempts to obstruct or impede freedom of navigation.

A key provision stipulates that Iran must disclose the number of mines it has laid and their precise locations in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and work toward their removal. The draft also calls on Tehran to refrain from interfering in international demining efforts.

Humanitarian corridor

Another clause asks Iran to cooperate with the United Nations in establishing a humanitarian corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at facilitating the flow of essential goods, including food and fertilizers, which the text says have been disrupted by recent developments in the region.

It also includes a prohibition on any UN member state assisting Iran in closing the strait or restricting transit through it. At the same time, it affirms the right of states to defend their vessels against attacks, in accordance with international law.

This is the latest diplomatic effort by Washington and Manama after China and Russia vetoed a similar resolution hours before a temporary ceasefire was announced in early April.

Waltz said negotiations on the draft would take place this week, adding that it remains unclear whether the resolution will include an enforcement mechanism to secure navigation in the strait.

He revealed that Bahrain is contributing to drafting the text, with input from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, in a way that would require Iran to halt attacks on commercial vessels and attempts to impose transit fees, as well as to stop laying naval mines and disclose their locations.

Waltz underlined that the draft is narrower in scope than the previous unsuccessful proposal and comes amid a ceasefire with Iran.

The United States and Gulf countries are continuing negotiations this week and are seeking swift adoption of the resolution, provided consensus among the countries concerned is maintained.

Waltz framed the issue not only as part of a confrontation with Iran but also as a matter related to international law and the freedom of global trade, stressing that no country has the right to blackmail global trade.

A previous draft resolution blocked by Russia and China had sought authorization for the use of defensive force to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and free it from Iranian attacks. It also would have allowed states, individually or through voluntary multinational maritime partnerships, to use all necessary and proportionate defensive means, applying to the strait and adjacent waters to secure passage and deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere in any way with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.


Saudi Arabia Provides New Contribution of $2 Million to Support UNRWA

Saudi Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Jordan, hands UNRWA’s Acting Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders a cheque of $ 2 million as the Kingdom’s annual contribution to UNRWA (Saudi Embassy in Jordan)
Saudi Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Jordan, hands UNRWA’s Acting Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders a cheque of $ 2 million as the Kingdom’s annual contribution to UNRWA (Saudi Embassy in Jordan)
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Saudi Arabia Provides New Contribution of $2 Million to Support UNRWA

Saudi Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Jordan, hands UNRWA’s Acting Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders a cheque of $ 2 million as the Kingdom’s annual contribution to UNRWA (Saudi Embassy in Jordan)
Saudi Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Jordan, hands UNRWA’s Acting Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders a cheque of $ 2 million as the Kingdom’s annual contribution to UNRWA (Saudi Embassy in Jordan)

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday delivered on Tuesday a check worth $2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), representing the Kingdom's annual support for the agency’s budget, programs, and operations in the region.

Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan delivered the check at the embassy to UNRWA’s Acting Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders.

He stressed the Saudi commitment, under the directives of the leadership, to support the Palestinian cause and assist the brotherly Palestinian people.

The Ambassador then highlighted the importance of supporting UNRWA's budget to enable it to fulfill its social, humanitarian, educational, and health responsibilities toward Palestinian refugees, particularly under current conditions.

Prince Mansour noted the agency’s vital role in providing humanitarian services and alleviating suffering.

For his part, Saunders expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom for its continued and steadfast support, which enables UNRWA to implement its programs in service of Palestinian refugees.