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Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
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Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud

Qatar on Wednesday condemned strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain and called for diplomacy, as hostilities resumed following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, said it "emphasizes the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks,” in a foreign ministry statement posted on X.

Doha also emphasized the need to "pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, and to build upon the progress achieved under the memorandum of understanding.”

The US military attacked Iran early Wednesday after it said Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo

Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Wedyan while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the Kingdom stressed that “these unacceptable attacks constitute an assault on the security and safety of international navigation, as well as the security of global energy supplies.”

“The Kingdom affirms that Iran’s continued launching of these attacks constitutes a grave violation of international law and norms, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which guarantee freedom of navigation and the safe passage through maritime routes,” the statement read.

The Kingdom also “reiterates its call on Iran to immediately cease all actions that threaten regional security, international maritime safety, and energy supplies, and affirms that Iran bears full responsibility for these attacks and all their damage and repercussions,” the ministry added.

Gulf

Kuwait, Bahrain Come Under Missile and Drone Attacks

General view of Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters
General view of Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters
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Kuwait, Bahrain Come Under Missile and Drone Attacks

General view of Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters
General view of Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters

The Kuwaiti army said on Wednesday it was responding to missile and drone attacks, after Iran threatened retaliation for a wave of US strikes.

"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile missile and drone attacks," the army said on X.

"The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks."

Bahrain also sounded missile alerts.

"The siren has been sounded," the interior ministry said on X. "Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on Wednesday that power had been restored to all residential areas affected by outages caused by a number of overhead lines ⁠going out of ⁠service.

The ministry said supply had been restored after teams completed work to re-feed the affected areas from the electricity grid.

The ministry ⁠had said earlier that several power transmission lines had gone out of service, causing electricity outages in scattered areas of the country. It said teams were working under an approved emergency plan to determine the cause and restore supply.

Separately, ⁠Bahrain's ⁠Electricity and Water Authority said it had dealt with a limited power outage in several areas of the kingdom and that service had been fully restored to all affected areas, according to state news agency BNA.

Gulf

UN Rights Council Adopts Saudi-Drafted Resolution on Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity

Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector has witnessed continuous development. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector has witnessed continuous development. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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UN Rights Council Adopts Saudi-Drafted Resolution on Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity

Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector has witnessed continuous development. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector has witnessed continuous development. (Asharq Al-Awsat).

The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted on Tuesday a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia on "Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity" during its 62nd session.

The resolution builds on the global initiative "Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity", launched by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Submitted by the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, the resolution advances the initiative's objectives by promoting greater participation of women in the cybersecurity sector, enhancing their skills, supporting their professional development, and helping address the global cybersecurity skills gap, thereby strengthening cyber resilience worldwide.

The unanimous adoption of the resolution reflects broad international support for the initiative and recognition of its contribution to enhancing global cyber resilience.

Addressing the council, Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila said the initiative demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening international cooperation, providing technical assistance, and supporting capacity-building efforts to empower women in cybersecurity while respecting national priorities.

He noted that the resolution translates the vision of the Crown Prince's initiative into an international framework by promoting women's participation in cybersecurity, expanding female expertise in the sector, and supporting women's career progression toward leadership positions.

The consensus adoption of the resolution underscores the Kingdom's commitment to supporting international efforts to empower women in cybersecurity, building on its pioneering initiatives and leadership in this field.

The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) Institute oversees the implementation of the Crown Prince's two global cybersecurity initiatives, Child Protection in Cyberspace and Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity, in cooperation with a range of international partners, including specialized United Nations agencies.