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. 


Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

Updated 19 December 2025
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Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

  • The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom
  • The vehicles operate in dedicated bus lanes within a network that includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them

MAKKAH: A pioneering electric bus service took to the road in Makkah this week.

Electromin, the developer and operator of the service in partnership with Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction, said it is expected to serve more than 125 million passengers over the next 15 years, while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 31,500 tonnes compared with traditional vehicles.

The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be one of the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It was inaugurated on Wednesday by Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairperson of Al-Dabbagh Group; Samir Nawar, managing director of Petromin; and Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura.

The bus rapid transit project is designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services. (Supplied)

Electromin, a subsidiary of Petromin specializing in energy and mobility solutions, said the new service, which forms part of the Masar Destination mixed-use real estate development project in Makkah, is one the first transport networks of its kind in the country, and represents a significant shift toward a cleaner, more efficient urban transport model.

It operates in dedicated bus lanes, connecting key hubs within Masar and providing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation for residents and visitors, the company added. The network includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them. It has been designed to serve more than 5 million visitors and pilgrims annually, and to be easily accessible to all users.

Operators say the service is designed as a foundation for Makkah’s future transportation system, through its integration with the broader Masar project, which includes pedestrian walkways, more than 5,000 parking spaces, metro services and other urban infrastructure.