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.



US Reopens Embassy in Kuwait Months after Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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US Reopens Embassy in Kuwait Months after Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

The US Embassy in Kuwait has resumed operations that were suspended following attacks in March by Iran, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The embassy will immediately resume emergency services for American citizens while other services will be phased in, the spokesperson said, Reuters reported.

The State Department shut down embassy operations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in March after Iranian drones fired at the missions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.


Oman Opens Temporary Strait of Hormuz Shipping Routes, Says No Tolls Will Be Charged

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
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Oman Opens Temporary Strait of Hormuz Shipping Routes, Says No Tolls Will Be Charged

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)

Oman said it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping without imposing any tolls and had designated two temporary routes north and south of the existing shipping lane to facilitate the safe passage of vessels departing the region.

In coordination with the International Maritime Organization, Oman established temporary maritime corridors to help ships leave the area safely amid heightened security risks.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for ‌roughly a fifth ‌of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the ‌war, has ⁠been heavily disrupted ⁠since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, curbing commercial shipping and rattling global energy markets.

In a notice to mariners, Oman said the existing Traffic Separation Scheme in the strategic waterway was currently unsafe for use and that vessels departing through the strait could instead use temporary routes located to the north and south of the existing shipping lanes.

The scheme, adopted by the United Nations’ shipping agency ⁠in 1968, established routing lanes through Iranian and Omani waters in ‌the strait.

Oman said the measures ‌reflected its responsibilities towards the strait, its importance to the global economy and its commitment to ‌international law and freedom of navigation, citing understandings reached between the United States and ‌Iran.

Oman said navigational safety remained the overriding priority and that a gradual, controlled movement of vessel traffic was required because of an elevated risk of collisions.

Under a phased plan developed by the IMO in coordination with Omani authorities, vessels will be grouped and contacted individually with instructions on ‌when they may depart and which route they should follow.

Ships will be directed to a designated waiting area in international ⁠waters before being ⁠cleared to proceed.

Vessels using Oman's eastbound route will be required to maintain communications with coastal authorities and comply with all navigational instructions.

Oman said shipowners and masters remained responsible for conducting independent risk assessments before voyages.

Vessels were instructed to keep their Automatic Identification System activated during transit and to report any navigational hazards to the Oman Maritime Security Centre.

Oman's statement said that no tolls would be imposed on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in line with the outcome of recent talks between the United States and Iran.

Iran and Oman began discussions on the future administration of navigation and maritime services in the waterway on Tuesday.

While the interim US-Iran agreement provides for commercial vessels to transit without charge for 60 days, the talks are expected to address longer-term arrangements, including any costs associated with maritime services after that period ends.


Saudi Arabia Stresses its Support to Syria’s Sovereignty, Territorial Unity at Security Council

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses its Support to Syria’s Sovereignty, Territorial Unity at Security Council

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. (UN file)

Saudi Arabia stressed before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday its support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, and its support for the efforts of the Syrian state to extend its sovereignty over its entire territory.

The council met for a session dedicated to discussing the humanitarian and political situation in Syria.

Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel called for the removal of Syria's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, stressing the importance of the international community's support for the transitional phase the country is going through.

This will help in consolidating stability and improving the humanitarian situation, he added.

The Arab Group expressed its backing for the Syrian government’s efforts in combating the ISIS terrorist organization, as well as terrorism in all its forms, underlining the importance of concerted international efforts to provide the necessary support during this phase.

It also urged the international community to strengthen and expand support to countries hosting Syrian refugees, and not to leave them to bear the humanitarian and economic burdens alone.

Furthermore, the Arab Group strongly condemned the repeated Israeli incursions and attacks on Syrian territory, stressing that they represent a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It reiterated the need to compel Israel to fully comply with the 1974 disengagement agreement and to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the occupied Syrian Golan.