Israeli attacks on Iran violate international law, Saudi crown prince tells Pezeshkian

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (File/SPA/AFP)
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Updated 17 June 2025
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Israeli attacks on Iran violate international law, Saudi crown prince tells Pezeshkian

  • The crown prince said the Israeli attacks have disrupted ongoing dialogue to resolve the crisis

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed the Kingdom’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iran in a phone call with President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday.

The attacks undermine the sovereignty and security of Iran and constitute a violation of international laws and norms, Saudi Press Agency reported the crown prince as saying. 

The crown prince said the Israeli attacks have disrupted ongoing dialogue to resolve the crisis surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and hindered efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions.

He emphasized the Kingdom’s rejection of the use of force to resolve disputes and the need to adopt dialogue as the basis for resolving differences.

Israel on Friday launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, killing top army commanders, nuclear scientists and other senior officials, in a missile barrage that Tehran said claimed 78 lives. The two countries traded blows on Saturday.

The crown prince expressed his condolences and sympathy to Pezeshkian, the Iranian people, and the families of those who died in the attacks. He prayed that the injured would recover swiftly.

Pezeshkian expressed his thanks and appreciation to King Salman for attending to the needs of Iranian pilgrims and facilitating services for them until their return home.

Earlier, Prince Mohammed discussed the repercussions of Israel’s military operations against Iran with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone call.

Prince Mohammed and Starmer discussed the latest developments in the region and the importance of exerting all efforts to de-escalate and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Mohammed also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders reviewed developments in the region following Israeli strikes on Iran, SPA said. 


New youth development policy aims to support their role in Vision 2030

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New youth development policy aims to support their role in Vision 2030

  • General Policy for Youth Development seeks to amplify the involvement of youth in the workforce across government institutions, the private sector and nonprofit organizations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced a new policy aiming to empower youth participation in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The General Policy for Youth Development seeks to amplify the involvement of youth in the workforce across government institutions, the private sector and nonprofit organizations.

It aims to not only empower Saudi youth to be pioneers within the Kingdom, but also to become problem solvers and innovators on a global scale, the ministry added.

The policy hopes to become an empowering guideline by providing youth with tools and building blocks that will help create a long-term and sustainable environment in the Kingdom for youth to thrive.

The General Policy for Youth Development focuses on five main areas of growth and youth involvement: economic empowerment, community participation, extending education and lifelong learning, health and wellbeing and national identity and religious values.

According to the ministry, all of these objectives are tackled by the policy as it aims to reduce legislative gaps, address youth-related issues and financially empower youth-led initiatives.

For example, some of the objectives highlighted by the policy emphasize digital safety, protection from discrimination and violence, equal opportunities between the two genders, and empowering youth with disabilities.

Prior to establishing the policy, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development conducted in-depth research in youth preparation programs by examining the policies of 20 leading countries in the field, backed by the ministry’s organizing of over 34 workshops with stakeholders.

In the ministry’s pursuit of research, it also held meetings with both local and foreign experts in carrying out surveys that have targeted more than 11,000 young men and women across the Kingdom.

In 2024, the Youth Development Strategy was launched; which was developed with the support of over 30 government and private entities — a milestone that encompasses the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting its youth in diverse ecosystems.

The General Policy for Youth Development is another step forward in making the Kingdom a hub for youth enrichment, as 69.4 percent of the population is under 35 years of age and 35.9 percent of the population are aged 15 to 34.

 The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development quoted in its policy document King Salman speaking about the importance of empowering the youth: “You are the nation’s investment in the future.”