Iran's Top Diplomat Visits Riyadh, Doha Ahead of Nuclear Talks
A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place on Sunday in the capital of Oman. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates next week.
Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, has threatened to bomb Iran if no agreement is reached with his administration to resolve the long-standing dispute. Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
The name of the body of water between Iran and the Arab states has long been a point of contention. The Trump administration plans to announce that the U.S. will officially call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf during Trump's Middle East visit between 13 to 16 May. Arab Gulf leaders will likely welcome this move, while Iran will probably express anger.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks that were expected to cover efforts to end fighting between the Israeli military and Iran-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon. Araghchi expressed hope that these consultations could lead to better conditions for Palestine and Lebanon and establish peace in the region. High-Level Meetings and Regional Developments
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian received Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in the Qatari capital. The pair discussed the latest regional and international developments. Senior Saudi and Iranian officials attended the meeting, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two nations.
As Iran's Foreign Minister embarks on this diplomatic mission, the region watches closely. The outcomes of these talks could significantly impact the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. With high-level meetings and ongoing negotiations, the international community remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing disputes in the region.
Short link :
Post Views: 144
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia on Monday in an effort to end a border conflict that has left 33 people dead and displaced thousands over the past four days. The breakthrough comes after U.S. President Donald Trump personally called the leaders of both countries on Saturday, urging them to begin immediate negotiations to halt the fighting. Thailand confirmed on Sunday that a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend the talks in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia confirming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also be present. Trump, who is currently on a private visit to his golf resort in Scotland, wrote on Truth Social that both nations 'have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!' Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh thanked Trump for his intervention, although clashes reportedly continued overnight into Sunday. The border fighting erupted on July 24 and has escalated into artillery exchanges and air strikes across the disputed area between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province. Cambodia, whose military is significantly weaker than Thailand's, has repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire and accused Thailand of launching heavy bombardments and drone operations. 'I made it clear to [Trump] that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,' Hun Manet said, calling Trump's mediation a step that 'will truly help protect the lives of many soldiers and civilians.' Thailand has stated its willingness to consider a ceasefire but insists that dialogue must come first. 'Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place,' its Foreign Ministry said. 'However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side.' The fighting has displaced thousands of residents on both sides of the border, with no new casualties reported on Sunday but with the death toll still standing at 33, including six Thai and five Cambodian soldiers. The tension has also cast a shadow over regional trade. Trump noted that no negotiations on U.S. trade agreements with either country would proceed until the fighting stops. U.S. tariffs of 36% on goods imported from both Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to take effect on August 1 unless an agreement is reached before then. It remains unclear how Trump became actively involved, especially after Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa recently dismissed the need for outside mediation. However, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously offered to facilitate peace talks, which now appear to be moving forward under Kuala Lumpur's diplomatic oversight. The roots of the conflict stretch back over a century, to disputes stemming from colonial-era border demarcations made following the French occupation of Cambodia. Tensions reignited this week after each side accused the other of violating prior military agreements. Thailand claimed Cambodian forces deployed drones to monitor Thai troops, while Cambodia accused Thailand of advancing on a contested Khmer-Hindu temple site. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Israel intercepts Gaza aid ship, detains 21 activists and seizes humanitarian cargo
TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship attempting to break the blockade on the Palestinian territory, detaining 21 international activists and journalists and seizing all humanitarian cargo, including baby formula, food, and medicine, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on Sunday. According to the coalition, the ship Handala was 'violently intercepted' by Israeli naval forces in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles off Gaza late Saturday night. The group said Israeli forces cut the ship's communications and disabled onboard cameras shortly before midnight. 'All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel's illegal blockade,' the coalition said in a statement. Israel's military has not issued an official statement, but the Foreign Ministry confirmed on social media platform X that the Navy had stopped the vessel and was bringing it ashore. This marks the second time in recent months that Israel has intercepted a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. In June, the ship Madleen, which carried 12 activists including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, was also seized. In May, another coalition vessel, Conscience, sustained a disabling drone attack off the coast of Malta. The latest interception comes amid growing global condemnation of Israel's restrictions on aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate. International bodies have warned of rising hunger and the risk of famine, as aid access remains severely restricted. Regional human rights group Adalah said Israel's raid on the Handala violated international law, calling for the immediate release of the detained passengers. The organization noted that the ship never entered Israeli territorial waters and was headed toward Gaza's coast, which it described as the territorial waters of the State of Palestine under international law. 'The vessel's interception in international waters is a clear breach of maritime and humanitarian law,' Adalah said in a statement. The group added that the ship had arrived at Israel's Ashdod port, but lawyers were being denied access to the detainees, who include lawmakers and human rights activists from 10 different countries. Among those detained are seven U.S. citizens, including a human rights lawyer, a Jewish U.S. military veteran, and a Jewish-American activist, according to the coalition. Two Italian citizens were also on board. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had discussed their case with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who reportedly said they would be deported within three days unless they agreed to leave immediately. — Agencies
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan suspends road travel to Iran, Iraq citing security concerns
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that the government will not allow pilgrims to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, citing public safety and national security concerns for the ban. Thousands of Pakistani citizens visit Iran and Iraq annually for religious tourism and to visit religious sites, including observing Arbaeen (Arabic for 'forty'), a significant religious occasion in Shia Islam. It marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain, who was 'martyred' in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Travelers to Iran and Iraq by road have often been targeted in sectarian attacks by armed groups in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province, which shares a border with Iran. Islamabad's decision comes in the wake of a rise in militant attacks in the province by ethnic Baloch militant groups, who demand a greater share of the province's mineral resources from Islamabad. 'After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year,' Naqvi wrote on X. After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year. This difficult decision was taken in the interest of… — Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 27, 2025 The interior minister said this 'difficult decision' was taken in the interest of public safety and national security. However, he said Shia pilgrims will be allowed to travel by air to Iran and Iraq. 'Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,' he wrote. A Pakistani immigration official told Arab News earlier this month that Islamabad plans to overhaul its pilgrimage travel policy to Iraq, Iran and Syria after authorities confirmed around 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims went missing or overstayed in the three countries over the past decade. Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf revealed this month that 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims had either overstayed or gone missing in these countries without any official record of their whereabouts. In response, Pakistani authorities have scrapped the long-standing 'Salar system,' in which private group leaders managed travel logistics, and are introducing a new centralized, computerized structure to track and regulate pilgrim movement more effectively. Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Pakistan's director general of Immigration and Passports, said a new Ziyarat Management Policy has been finalized by the government under which pilgrims will only be allowed to travel in organized groups, and licensed tour operators will be held directly responsible for ensuring that all group members return to Pakistan before their visas expire. Any operator found violating the policy or failing to ensure the return of all pilgrims will have their license canceled.
