Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.



Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives British Foreign Secretary

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives British Foreign Secretary

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Thursday the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper, at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations between the two countries and areas of bilateral cooperation. They also discussed regional developments and joint efforts to address these issues.

At the meeting, the British official expressed her country's condemnation of the brutal attacks launched by Iran against Saudi Arabia and several other countries in the region, affirming the UK's solidarity with the affected countries and the necessity of concerted efforts to promote stability and peace in the region.


Pakistan Reiterates Firm Support for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
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Pakistan Reiterates Firm Support for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met in Jeddah on Thursday evening with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who reaffirmed his country’s support for the Kingdom.

The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between their countries and the ongoing regional escalation and its implications for regional security.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that Islamabad would continue to stand firmly alongside the Kingdom.

Also Thursday, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper arrived in Riyadh for a visit the British government said reflects the United Kingdom’s support for its Gulf partners amid what it described as Iran’s “reckless aggression.”

Iran continued Friday targeting civilian facilities, though most attacks were intercepted by Gulf air defenses.

Saudi Arabia said it foiled more than 40 attacks and destroyed missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base and the Eastern Province, while Kuwait International Airport sustained material damage without casualties.


Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Affirm Solidarity to Safeguard Security and Stability

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Affirm Solidarity to Safeguard Security and Stability

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler reaffirmed their solidarity regarding measures taken to safeguard the security and stability of their respective countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The Saudi Prince denounced in a phone call with Güler the Iranian aggression against Saudi Arabia and the hostile attacks targeting Türkiye. The two officials also discussed the implications of the ongoing regional escalation on both regional and international security.

Prince Khalid bin Salman also held a telephone call with Romania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Radu Miroțǎ.

The two officials condemned the illegitimate Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. They also discussed recent developments in the region and the escalating tensions that pose a threat to security and stability both regionally and internationally.

Additionally, Prince Khalid bin Salman and South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-back, condemned the Iranian attacks during a phone call and reviewed the latest regional developments and their possible implications for regional and international security and stability.