Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Malki, said two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the past hours.

Al-Malki said air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed the two drones, affirming continued readiness to counter any threats targeting the Kingdom’s security.

Saudi air defenses also intercepted, on Friday, six ballistic missiles and 26 drones in the Riyadh and Eastern regions, according to the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Malki.

Al-Malki said 13 drones were intercepted and destroyed in both the Eastern Province and Riyadh, with interception debris falling near a military site in the Riyadh region without causing injuries.

The ministry’s spokesperson added that six ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were detected; two were intercepted, while the other four fell into the waters of the Arabian Gulf and in uninhabited areas.

Saudi air defenses had, on Thursday, destroyed 38 drones in the Eastern Province, Al-Malki said.



Emir of Qatar, President of Iran Discuss Regional Developments, De-Escalation

27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
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Emir of Qatar, President of Iran Discuss Regional Developments, De-Escalation

27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday on regional affairs, particularly the latest developments in negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz and energy supplies.

The leaders met ahead of the eighth summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) at the World Trade Center in Moscow.

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials attended the meeting.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry ‌told a ‌press briefing that Iran should ‌stop ⁠threats against Arab ⁠Gulf states and open the Strait of Hormuz to show good intentions.

Iran needs to show good intentions for mediation efforts to succeed, he said.

Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been mediating between Washington and Tehran in an effort to end the US-Israeli ⁠war on Iran that has ‌disrupted global shipping ‌and oil supplies, and spilled over across ‌other parts of the Middle East.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharpened recently, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday the US may strike Iran again.


Saudi Arabia, US Boost Travel Facilitations via the ‘Trusted Traveler’ Program

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia, US Boost Travel Facilitations via the ‘Trusted Traveler’ Program

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the inclusion of Saudi citizens in the Trusted Traveler program, thereby facilitating travel and accelerating entry procedures through US ports of entry.

The move allows eligible citizens to benefit from expedited passport and customs processing, significantly reducing waiting times at participating arrival points.

The benefits also include access to the "TSA PreCheck" program, which provides eligible travelers with faster, more seamless security screenings at participating US airports, enhancing the travel experience and reducing departure processing times.

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement, boosting the efficiency of border procedures, and ensuring a smoother travel experience for Saudi citizens heading to the US.


Saudi Arabia, Italy Discuss Efforts to Establish Int’l Security, Peace

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Italy Discuss Efforts to Establish Int’l Security, Peace

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held telephone talks on Tuesday with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto.

The ministers reviewed defense cooperation between their countries and discussed regional and international developments, particularly the latest developments in the region and efforts to promote international peace and security.