Germany, France Call on Iran to Cease Attacks on Gulf

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
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Germany, France Call on Iran to Cease Attacks on Gulf

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called on Iran to "immediately stop" its "indiscriminate attacks", while predicting that the country's rule by clerics was coming to an end with the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Germany shares Iranians' "relief" to see the "mullah regime come to an end", Merz said, though he cautioned that the killing of Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes on Tehran had set Iran on a path to an "uncertain future".

France slammed Iran's "massive and unjustifiable" attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan Sunday, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying they were being "drawn into a war they did not choose".

"I have expressed to each of them France's unequivocal condemnation, full solidarity and complete support," he added in a post on X.

- 'Day after' in Iran - 

Merz also called on US and European partners to start planning for the future of Iran and the region, saying the people of Iran deserved a better future after US and Israeli strikes killed its supreme leader. 

Merz said his government agreed with ‌US goals ‌to end Tehran's nuclear armament ‌and ⁠finish a "destructive game" ⁠being played by Iran, but he warned of possible dangers ahead. 

"This is not without risk. We do not know how far the region will be drawn into escalation by ⁠Iran's harsh counterstrikes," Merz told ‌reporters. 

Pointing to some ‌reservations over the US and Israeli actions, ‌Merz said now was not the ‌time to lecture partners and allies, despite doubts. 

"We want to work with our partners in the US, Israel, the region, ‌and Europe to develop an agenda for the day after," ⁠said Merz. 

His ⁠four aims were to ensure peace and stability in the region, to get Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile program, to contribute to a stable future for Iran and to help Iranians decide their own fate. 

Merz also said Germany would not tolerate attacks on US or Israeli institutions in the country. 



Saudi Arabia Condemns Continued Iranian Attacks on Jordan

Jordanian air defenses intercept missiles launched from Iran, as seen from the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley, 09 September 2026. (EPA)
Jordanian air defenses intercept missiles launched from Iran, as seen from the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley, 09 September 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Continued Iranian Attacks on Jordan

Jordanian air defenses intercept missiles launched from Iran, as seen from the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley, 09 September 2026. (EPA)
Jordanian air defenses intercept missiles launched from Iran, as seen from the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley, 09 September 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Wednesday the continued, “unjustified, and blatant Iranian attacks on Jordan.”

A Foreign Ministry statement reiterated Saudi Arabia's solidarity with Jordan and its people regarding any measures taken in response to this aggression.

Saudi Arabia stressed that the Iranian attacks are “a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness.”

It underlined “the urgent need for an immediate end to Iran's attacks against Jordan and other countries in the region, as well as the need for serious and concerted efforts to achieve security and stability for the region's nations and peoples.”


Saudi Crown Prince Receives Princes, Scholars, Senior Officials, and Citizens

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives princes, scholars, ministers, and citizens at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives princes, scholars, ministers, and citizens at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Princes, Scholars, Senior Officials, and Citizens

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives princes, scholars, ministers, and citizens at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives princes, scholars, ministers, and citizens at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received princes, scholars, senior officials, and a number of citizens who came to greet him at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The visitors included Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, and Minister of the National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz.


Saudi Arabia Stresses it Will Continue to Defend its Sovereignty, Slamming Houthi Criminality

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses it Will Continue to Defend its Sovereignty, Slamming Houthi Criminality

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that the Kingdom will continue to defend its sovereignty and security of its citizens and residents and protect its national assets.

It rejected the hostile and criminal behavior adopted by the extremist Houthi militia that is threatening Yemen and its Arab and Islamic surroundings.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his consultations and talks with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The talks focused on Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with these countries and ways to further strengthen them across various fields.

After reviewing the latest regional developments, the Cabinet stressed that the terrorist Houthi militia had carried out criminal attacks against civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, and continued to target commercial vessels in the Red Sea and threaten freedom of international maritime navigation.

The Cabinet stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to defend its sovereignty, safeguard the security of its citizens and residents, and protect its national assets.

The Cabinet directed that the highest levels of care and medical attention be provided to those injured in the terrorist attacks, praying to Allah Almighty to grant them a speedy recovery and preserve the Kingdom’s security and stability.

The Cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for joint Arab efforts to halt Israeli violations and attacks against Jerusalem and the occupied territories, confront Israel’s blatant actions in Palestine, and counter expansionist policies, settlement activities, and displacement, in violation of international law.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of Saudi Arabia’s participation in regional and international meetings, highlighting its continued commitment to strengthening communication with countries and organizations worldwide and enhancing joint coordination. This includes advancing multilateral action to support collective efforts to address global challenges, promote development and economic prosperity, and build a more stable, progressive future.

The Cabinet welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed by the Saudi and German foreign ministers to establish a strategic dialogue, enhance consultation and coordination, and develop bilateral cooperation.

The Cabinet reviewed several reports on international conferences and gatherings hosted by the Kingdom. It commended the success of the 26th Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Research and its contributions to enhancing integration among entities concerned with the Hajj and Umrah system, raising the level of coordination and partnerships, improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims, and supporting proactive decision-making based on scientific studies.

The Cabinet hailed the outcomes of LEAP 2026, which saw the launch of initiatives and agreements and investments worth nearly $15 billion in the fields of artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing, technology manufacturing, venture capital, and national capacity development. This further reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership as a global destination for innovation and shaping the future.

The Cabinet considered the launch of new investment projects under the Water Industries and Services Localization Program in the Kingdom a strategic step in the sector’s transition from importing and operating technologies to developing, manufacturing, and exporting them, leveraging accumulated operational and knowledge-based expertise and unique, integrated infrastructure. This aims to build more reliable supply chains and an established industry capable of competing, expanding, and contributing actively to the economy locally and globally.