Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for Saudi Arabia
Newsline: Saudi, Iranian top diplomats to meet in coming weeks
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, have agreed to meet during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi state news agency SPA said on Monday, under a deal to restore ties. Both ministers spoke by phone for the second time in a few days, SPA said. “During the call, a number of common issues were discussed in light of the tripartite agreement that was signed in the People’s Republic of China. The two ministers also agreed to hold a bilateral meeting between them during the ongoing month of Ramadan,” SPA said. (https://neuters.de/world/middle-east/saudi-iranian-foreign-ministers-meet-during-muslim-holy-month-ramadan-2023-03-27/) Ramadan is likely to end on April 20. Earlier this month, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to revive relations after years of hostility that had threatened stability and security in the Gulf and helped fuel conflicts in the Middle East from Yemen to Syria. The deal between the regional powers, Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and long-time rival Shi’ite Iran, brokered by China, was announced after previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two countries.
Newsline: Iranian, Saudi top diplomats to meet to discuss re-opening embassies
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, have agreed to meet soon and pave the way for the re-opening of embassies under a deal to re-establish ties, Saudi state news agency SPA said on Thursday. The ministers spoke by phone to mark the occasion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, SPA said. Amirabdollahian emphasized during the call Iran’s readiness to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. The foreign ministers of the two countries agreed to meet each other as soon as possible and start preparations for the reopening of embassies and consulates, IRNA added. (https://neuters.de/world/middle-east/saudi-iranian-foreign-ministers-meet-pave-way-re-open-embassies-saudi-state-news-2023-03-22/) Earlier this month, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to revive relations after years of hostility that had threatened stability and security in the Gulf and helped fuel conflicts in the Middle East from Yemen to Syria. The deal between the regional powers, Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and long-time rival Shi’ite Iran, brokered by China, was announced after previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two countries. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.
Newsline: Iran proposes locations to Saudi Arabia for foreign minister meeting
The Iranian government has proposed to Saudi Arabia three locations for a meeting at foreign minister level, Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday, citing the latest messages with Riyadh since the countries agreed to re-establish ties. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a news conference in Tehran his country had agreed to such a meeting, although he did not list the three locations or say when such a meeting might take place. Amirabdollahian also said Tehran was ready for the mutual reopening of embassies. (https://neuters.de/world/middle-east/iran-proposes-locations-saudi-arabia-fm-meeting-2023-03-19/) Iran and Saudi Arabia, the region’s Shi’ite Muslim and Sunni powers, agreed on March 10 to re-establish relations and re-open embassies within two months after years of hostility. The deal, brokered by China, was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle Eastern powers. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.
Newsline: Iran and Saudi Arabia re-open embassies
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish relations after seven years of hostility. The deal was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle East powers. Tehran and Riyadh agreed “to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months”, according to a statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China. “The agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs.” (https://neuters.de/world/middle-east/iran-saudi-arabia-agree-resume-ties-re-open-embassies-iranian-state-media-2023-03-10/) Both countries thanked China, as well as Iraq and Oman for hosting earlier talks in 2021 and 2022. The agreement was signed by Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, and Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.
Newsline: Algerian arrested for threatening to blast Saudi embassy
Algerian security forces arrested one person who threatened to blast the headquarters of the Saudi embassy in Algiers, Algerian state TV reported on Wednesday. The Saudi embassy received a call at 3 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday from a person who threatened to bomb its headquarters, the TV added, citing a statement from the capital’s security forces. (https://neuters.de/world/africa/algeria-arrests-one-person-who-threatened-blast-saudi-embassy-2023-02-15/) The capital’s security forces arrested the suspect after investigations, the report said adding that the person was subjected to medical checks and psychological tests before being prosecuted. There was no immediate comment from the Saudi embassy in Algeria or the Saudi authorities.
Newsline: Saudi embassy in Turkey says no reports of Saudi victims after quake
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Turkey said it has not received reports confirming the death of Saudi citizens in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake. The embassy said it was working with the Turkish authorities to confirm whether any Saudi citizens have died in the earthquake that hit the nation early on Monday. (https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2023/02/06/Saudi-Arabia-s-embassy-in-Turkey-says-no-reports-of-Saudi-deaths-yet-after-quake) The quake – which was felt in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, and several other neighboring countries – has killed hundreds of people in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. A total of at least 640 people have died in both Syria and Turkey, according to authorities. The death toll is expected to keep rising as rescue teams continue to dig under the rubble of collapsed buildings across several Turkish and Syrian provinces.
Newsline: Saudi Arabia said to close embassy in Kabul
Some unconfirmed news suggest that Saudi Arabia has closed down its embassy in Kabul and evacuated 19 members of its diplomatic mission in the city. “According to reports of Afghan journalists, Saudi Arabia has closed down its embassy in Kabul, and has evacuated 19 of its staff,” Afghan Journalist Saeedullah Safi tweeted late Saturday. (https://en.mehrnews.com/news/197044/Saudi-Arabia-reportedly-closes-its-embassy-in-Kabul) Official Saudi sources have not confirmed the news yet. Ealier in August 2021, Saudi Arabia had evacuated members of its diplomatic mission in Kabul due to the unstable conditions in Afghanistan.
Newsline: Iran top diplomat eyes restoration of Saudi Arabia ties
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope during a visit to Lebanon Friday that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh could be restored through dialogue between the two regional arch-rivals. Amir-Abdollahian told a news conference in Beirut “we are ready to restore ties,” and such a move “would have positive repercussions on the entire region.” (https://news.yahoo.com/iran-top-diplomat-hopes-restoration-150208109.html) He also hailed a potential rapprochement between Iranian ally Syria and Turkey, after their defence ministers met last month. Amir-Abdollahian said the first steps should be resuming talks on reopening Iran’s consulate in Jeddah and Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Mashhad for citizens interested in religious travel. Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in various conflicts in the region, including in Syria. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in January 2016, after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran and consulate in second city Mashhad following Riyadh’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Newsline: After US, UK, Saudi and Australian embassies issue security alert in Pakistan’s Islamabad
After the United States and the United Kingdom, embassies of Saudi Arabia and Australia on Monday issued advisory to their citizens and government officials living in Pakistan’s Islamabad to “limit their movement and increase vigilance” amid the rising terror threat. Saudi Arabia has warned its nationals to “be cautious” and not step out except for emergency purposes. “Security of Islamabad has been placed at the highest level,” the advisory said. It has also asked Saudi residents in the city to contact the embassy and consulate in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, the Australian embassy has urged its people to reconsider their need to visit Pakistan. “Avoid non-essential travel. Do your research and check that your insurer will cover you. If you do travel, take extra precautions to protect yourself from security and health risks,” the Australian advisory read. (https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/after-us-uk-saudi-australia-issue-security-alert-for-citizens-in-pakistan-s-islamabad/ar-AA15GbTf) The development comes in connection with the suicide bombing which took place in Islamabad last week where one policeman and a taxi driver were killed.
Newsline: Iran’s top diplomat meets with Saudi counterpart
Iran’s foreign minister said that he has met with his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of a conference hosted in Jordan. This marks the first high-profile meeting between officials of the two countries since cutting ties in 2016. Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that he spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud among other foreign ministers that he had the opportunity to hold “friendly talks” on the sidelines of the Jordan conference. Amirabdollahian said that Prince Faisal told him of the kingdom’s willingness to continue dialogue with Iran. In other comments by Amirabdollahian, reported by Iran’s IRNA news outlet, the top Iranian diplomat said: “We are interested in resuming talks with Saudi Arabia and they also wanted it.” (https://www.econotimes.com/Iran-FM-meets-with-Saudi-counterpart-at-Jordan-conference-1647732) The meeting between Amirabdollahian and Prince Faisal marks the highest-profile meeting between officials from rivaling countries since cutting ties in 2016. Both countries have been on opposing sides in regional conflicts such as in Syria and Yemen.
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