LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May slammed on Thursday Iran’s “destabilizing” regional influence and called for a stronger response to Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
She was speaking in Amman where she visited on Thursday on the return leg of a visit that also took in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, where she met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In a speech in the Jordanian capital on Thursday, the British prime minister said that it was not just Daesh and the Assad regime that posed a threat to the stability of neighboring Syria.
“Iran is showing that it is more interested in bolstering its role in the region, and that of its proxy Hezbollah, than finding a lasting peace in Syria,” she said.
“And Iran’s destabilizing activity goes beyond Syria. Their previous attempts to acquire a nuclear weapon posed a threat to the international non-proliferation system on which wider international security depends.”
The prime minister reiterated the UK’s support of a nuclear deal struck in 2015 that allowed for the lifting of economic sanctions against Iran in return for Tehran’s commitment to reduce much of its nuclear program.
“This deal was the culmination of 13 years of diplomacy and a major step toward ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program is not diverted for military purposes. It is vitally important for our shared security,” said May.
But the prime minister said that the nuclear deal only addressed one aspect of Iran’s threat to the region – a reference to the country’s development of ballistic missiles.
“This includes in Yemen, where it is unacceptable for the Houthis to fire missiles at Riyadh,” she said. “In my meeting in Riyadh last night with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman I agreed that we would increase our work with Saudi Arabia to address this. I welcome the ongoing UN investigation into the source of the missiles and the international community must be resolute in its response to the findings.”
A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen since March 2015. The war has created what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The coalition closed air, land and sea access to Yemen on Nov. 6, two days after Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Riyadh that was intercepted. They have since been partially re-opened.
May’s visit to Jordan coincided with an emergency debate on Yemen in the UK Parliament yesterday.
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that Britain must help its Middle East allies defend the region against Iranian aggression.
“It would be wrong to point solely at Riyadh, because the truth is that decisions being made in Tehran today are having an effect that are being felt throughout the region.”
Opening the debate, MP Andrew Mitchell described the “dire humanitarian situation” in the country and said a visit to Yemen earlier this year had left him “deeply concerned.”
British PM warns on Iran’s “destabilizing” influence
British PM warns on Iran’s “destabilizing” influence
Joy Awards 2026 spotlights arts in the Arab world
RIYADH: Riyadh hosted its annual Joy Awards, bringing together stars and creative projects from across the Arab world as part of an event that has been held annually since 2022. The 2026 ceremony continued its focus on recognizing storytelling and creative work, while highlighting projects released over the past year.
As audiences anticipated the winners following the release of the nominees, awards were presented across six sectors; music, cinema, series, directors, sports and influencers. In addition to category awards, the ceremony also honored recipients of special accolades including Personality of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Joy Honorary awards.
Previous events have recognized Arab and international figures for their contributions to the arts, including Matthew McConaughey, who received the Personality of the Year Award in 2025.
Amid the Kingdom’s expansion of its entertainment sector — spanning film, music and sports — the Joy Awards reflected Riyadh Season’s role in hosting large-scale cultural events.
This year’s fan-favorite nominees, many of whom were Saudi nationals, were cheered on as they walked the Joy Awards’ iconic lavender carpet, where fashion once again took center stage as a key expression of the region’s evolving creative identity.
Among winners who took home the Joy Awards was Saudi 14 year old Rateel Alshehri, who won Favorite Female Influencer. Speaking to Arab News on the lavender carpet, Rateel shared her excitement towards Joy Awards:
“I’m so excited about being at Joy Awards today, it’s something I’ve been looking forward to (…) Everyone here deserves to be here.” On her beautiful sky-blue gown, Rateel shared that she was wearing Saudi designer, Adnan Akbar.
Rateel’s excitement towards the awards was echoed by both Arab and non-Arab guests on the lavender carpet as many took in the unique atmosphere that Riyadh offers Joy Awards; where Arab entertainment and art is celebrated.
Lebanese actress Laila Abdullah also shared her enthusiasm towards both the award show and the Kingdom’s ambitions in hosting the Joy Awards and creating a hub for creative voices.
Speaking to Arab News she emphasized Saudi’s unique qualities: “It’s this mix of culture and luxury (…) It has that Gulf Arab character, the Saudi touch, you know? And that’s what really makes it stand out” Joy Awards was filled with a bustling energy that was eager and excited to give a platform to dreamers, artists, and talents who have been waiting to showcase their visions within the Arab world. It was a celebration that went beyond mere award-giving, reflecting the same ambition and creative momentum that defines Riyadh Season.
The lavender carpet paved way for international guests to speak to Saudi media on how it feels to be a part of an artistic celebration of Arab talent. Speaking to Arab News, Australian actor Luke Arnold shared his excitement towards attending the Joy Awards: “What I’m most excited about is kind of what I love about film and television, which is people from all over the world coming together to tell stories and share their expertise (…) It’s really exciting hearing about some of the potential projects happening, meeting some of the local talent here…just really excited to have more stories out in the world.”
Speaking to Arab News, Lebanese fashion influencer Karen Wazen reiterated the sentiment on Riyadh giving Joy Awards a special and unique energy for the arts, saying: “I am so impressed, I’m so proud to be at an event like this in our region, in Saudi Arabia. This is probably the most impressive and big carpet that I’ve ever seen (…) I’m very excited to watch the ceremony, but also I think to just meet so many people from our industries, it’s a beautiful place to do so.”
That vibrant atmosphere was on full display at the Joy Awards as the ceremony continued with stars like Millie Bobby Brown winning the Personality of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Honor presented to acting legend Forest Whitaker. The stardom was not limited to the film sector, as American pop star Katy Perry performed her iconic songs live; and British singer Robbie Williams took to stage to give a standout performance.
The Joy Awards 2026 once again proved that setting new benchmarks in entertainment and creative expression is not only achievable, but celebrated when driven by local talent and support. As stars from around the world took to Riyadh’s lavender carpet, Arab culture was placed firmly at the forefront — spanning film, music, and digital creativity. The Joy Awards stand as a symbol of the broader cultural transformation that Riyadh is championing across the Arab world’s entertainment industry.
