Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional developments in phone call

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. (File/AFP)
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Updated 15 January 2026
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Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional developments in phone call

  • Discussions focused on ways to support regional security and stability

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The two discussed the latest regional developments and ways to support security and stability in the region, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.


Minister launches smart control center in Madinah

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Minister launches smart control center in Madinah

MADINAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has launched the Smart Engineering Command and Control Center at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The ceremony was attended by Ghazi Al-Shahrani, the CEO of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, along with several executive leaders.

The launch marks a major step in enhancing the service ecosystem for visitors, improving operational efficiency, and elevating worshippers’ experiences through advanced smart technologies.

The authority said the center represented a transformative approach to monitoring service operations at the Prophet’s Mosque, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It features interactive screens linked to digital operational data on assets, services, visitor feedback, and compliance, enabling faster monitoring and response.

Staffed by qualified personnel across four shifts, the center operates 24/7 to ensure rapid handling of reports and the support of daily operations.

It also strengthens operational governance through digital performance indicators and analytical reports based on historic, current, and predictive data, while integrating with relevant external entities to support informed decision-making.

Now fully operational, the center is designed to manage peak periods year-round, particularly during Ramadan and Hajj, using key and subsidiary performance indicators to monitor all services.