Saudi FM Meets with Finnish Counterpart on Sidelines of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland Elina Valtonen - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland Elina Valtonen - SPA
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Saudi FM Meets with Finnish Counterpart on Sidelines of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland Elina Valtonen - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland Elina Valtonen - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland Elina Valtonen.

This took place on the sidelines of the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich), held in Limassol, Republic of Cyprus, under the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed regional and international developments and topics of mutual interest.



Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attacks on Its Territory; Gulf States Denounce Assaults

Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
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Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attacks on Its Territory; Gulf States Denounce Assaults

Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)

Kuwait strongly condemned what it described as “criminal Iranian attacks” targeting its territory with missiles and drones on Thursday morning. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states also condemned the Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory.

In a statement, Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry expressed the country’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the “criminal Iranian attacks that targeted Kuwaiti territory with missiles and drones in a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as a direct threat to civilians and vital facilities.”

The ministry said the escalation comes at a time when intensive efforts are being made by several brotherly and friendly countries to reduce tensions, de-escalate the situation and spare the region further escalation, adding that the attacks increase the gravity of the situation and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving regional security and stability.

It called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally halt the attacks and bear full responsibility for them, describing them as blatant aggression against Kuwait’s sovereignty and a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026.

The ministry stressed that Kuwait reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to preserve its security and defend its territory and vital facilities against any aggression or threat, based on its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and the rules of international law.

Saudi Arabia Condemns the Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom’s condemnation and denunciation “in the strongest terms” of the hostile missile and drone attacks against Kuwait.

In a statement, the ministry said: “The Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of violations of state sovereignty and attempts to threaten the region’s security and stability.”

Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with Kuwait, government and people, renewing its full support for all measures taken by Kuwait to preserve its sovereignty, security, stability and people.

Qatar: Flagrant Violation of International Law

Qatar strongly condemned the targeting of Kuwait with missiles and drones, describing it as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and a flagrant breach of international law.

In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and security.

It stressed the need to spare the region the consequences of what it described as unjustified attacks and to work toward de-escalation to restore regional and international security and stability.

UAE: Flagrant Violation

The United Arab Emirates also condemned “in the strongest terms the Iranian terrorist attacks” targeting Kuwait with missiles and drones.

The Emirates News Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry statement saying the “terrorist attacks represent a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability.”

The ministry expressed the UAE’s full solidarity with Kuwait and support for all efforts aimed at preserving its security and stability.

Bahrain Condemns Attacks

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah received a phone call from Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, during which the two sides condemned the “criminal Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait.”

Both sides affirmed Kuwait’s full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, preserve its security and stability, and safeguard its citizens and residents.

GCC: Treacherous Aggression

Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned “in the strongest terms the continued criminal Iranian attacks on Kuwait.”

In a post on X, the GCC General Secretariat quoted Albudaiwi as saying the continued “treacherous attacks” constitute a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the principles of good neighborliness.

He affirmed the GCC states’ full support for Kuwait in all measures it takes to preserve its security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Kuwaiti Army: Air Defenses Intercepted Missile Attacks

Earlier Thursday, the Kuwaiti army’s General Staff announced that the country’s air defenses had intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks.

In a press statement, the General Staff said that “any explosion sounds heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks,” calling on the public to comply with security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Yemen's Govt', People on Passing of Former President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Yemen's Govt', People on Passing of Former President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)

The Saudi Royal Court issued a statement on Thursday over the death of Former President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of former President of the Republic of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the statement carried out by SPA read.

"The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince expressed their deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of the deceased and to the government and people of the Republic of Yemen," it added.

It also affirmed the solidarity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people with the Republic of Yemen and its people, sharing their grief and sorrow.

The King and Crown Prince prayed to Allah Almighty "to grant patience and solace to the family of the deceased and to the brotherly Yemeni people, and to bless the Republic of Yemen with lasting security and stability."


Hajj Pilgrims Perform Stoning of Devil on First Day of Tashreeq

Pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)
Pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)
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Hajj Pilgrims Perform Stoning of Devil on First Day of Tashreeq

Pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)
Pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)

Hajj pilgrims kicked off on Thursday the day of Tashreeq with the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina.

They will stone the devil with three pebbles after having had performed the first phase of the stoning on Wednesday, the first day of Eid al-Adha.

Pilgrims moved smoothly along dedicated paths amid a crowd management plan for this phase of the Hajj to ensure that the ritual is performed safely and with ease.

A pilgrim is moved to tears as she performs the stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)

The plan, which was implemented in coordination between the various security and service agencies, helped in achieving the highest levels of discipline and organization, based on modern technical tools and well-thought-out operational models. This made it possible to control crowd flows and movements smoothly and safely.

The pilgrims will spend the 11th, 12th, and 13th nights of Dhu al-Hijjah in Mina, or two nights for those who wish to complete the pilgrimage earlier.

The pilgrims will enjoy a spiritual atmosphere filled with comfort, tranquility, and serenity. They will spend their time in their camps praising God, reciting the Quran, and praying to the Almighty to accept their pilgrimage.