Saudi Arabia leads Arab condemnation of military targeting of Iran, calls for restraint and de-escalation

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Updated 26 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia leads Arab condemnation of military targeting of Iran, calls for restraint and de-escalation

  • The Kingdom calls on international community to take action towards de-escalation and ending conflicts in the region
  • UAE condemns military targeting of Iran, urges ‘maximum restraint’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Saturday the military targeting of Iran, denouncing it as a violation of Tehran’s sovereignty and a breach of international laws and norms, state news agency SPA reported.

In a statement, the Kingdom urged all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and to work toward de-escalation and warned of the grave consequences that prolonged military confrontations could have on the region.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its steadfast stance against the ongoing escalation in the region and the widening scope of conflicts that threaten the security and stability of neighboring countries.

It called on the international community to fulfill their responsibilities in promoting peace, reducing tensions, and supporting efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East.

The UAE also condemned the targeting of Iran and stressed the importance of exercising “maximum restraint” to avoid escalation.

In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored commitment to diplomatic channels as the optimal path to de-escalate tensions, urging parties to move away from confrontation and escalation.

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, at war with Israel in Gaza, said it strongly condemned Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran.

“We... condemn in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the targeting of military sites in several provinces,” the movement said in a statement, calling the move “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region.”

Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and urged restraint and dialogue to avoid regional instability.

Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Iran and Western countries, said Israel’s attack on Iran “fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts” to de-escalate.

It said the international community should “put an end to these blatant violations on the territory of neighboring countries”.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry also expressed condemnation and accused Israel of “endangering the security of the region”.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry described the strikes as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

Bahrain condemned the military actions against Iran, expressing deep concern over escalating Middle East tensions and warning of severe impacts on civilians and the humanitarian crisis.

In a statement, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to push for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, calling on all parties to de-escalate and prioritize peace efforts.

The statement also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and southern Lebanon, protection of civilians, safe return of the displaced, and unrestricted humanitarian aid.

Bahrain further emphasized adherence to UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1701 for Lebanon, and ending violence to achieve regional stability.

Meanwhile, Jordan said no military planes were allowed to cross its airspace by any conflicting regional parties, state media cited an armed force source as saying.

Expressing its “solidarity” with Iran, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement that it supported “Iran’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its territory and the lives of its citizens.”

The Egyptian foreign ministry expressed grave concern over the Israeli attack on Iran, saying it condemns all measures that threaten regional security and stability.

On Saturday morning, Israel struck military sites in Iran in retaliation against Tehran’s strikes on Israel this month, risking fears of wider war in the Middle East.


Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

Updated 25 February 2026
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Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs meeting and briefs ministers on his recent meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
  • Cooperative efforts includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air transport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reviewed a number of domestic and international matters during a session in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which included discussions about regional security and stability, the latest developments in the Middle East, and other topics of importance to the Arab and Islamic world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also shared with ministers the contents of a letter he received from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The council discussed progress in cooperative efforts involving Saudi Arabia and other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Cuba and Kiribati, and approved a number of memorandums of understanding.

The cooperation includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air-transport services, the press agency said. Ministers also approved an agreement between the Saudi General Authority for Awqaf and its Omani counterpart relating to endowments.

They reviewed national initiatives, including one for the promotion of charitable work, and the enhancement of humanitarian and developmental efforts across the country.

A merger of the National Competitiveness Center with the Saudi Center for Economic Business to create a combined Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center was authorized.