Latest news with #regionalStability
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Algeria, Uruguay officially join Asean's TAC
(From left) Uruguayan foreign minister Mario Lubetkin, Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan and Algerian minister of foreign affairs and national community abroad Ahmed Attaf with the instruments of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. PETALING JAYA : Algeria and Uruguay have officially joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), strengthening the treaty's standing as a cornerstone of regional stability and peaceful cooperation. Their accession brings the total number of parties to the Asean treaty to 57. Representatives from both nations formalised their commitment on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, Bernama reported. Algeria was represented by its minister of foreign affairs and national community abroad, Ahmed Attaf; while Uruguay was represented by foreign minister Mario Lubetkin. The signing ceremony was witnessed by foreign minister Mohamad Hasan. Established in 1976, the TAC embodies universal principles of peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation among states. It serves as a legally binding code for inter-state relations within Southeast Asia and extends its influence beyond the region. The treaty had undergone three amendments in 1987, 1998 and 2010, primarily to allow for accession by states outside Southeast Asia, and regional organisations comprising sovereign states. The TAC has garnered significant international support, attracting signatories from major global powers including China, the US, Russia and the European Union. The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings are being held from July 8 to July 11 under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship for 2025 with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push
JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Their meeting came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and navigate a turbulent regional landscape. During the meeting, Prince Mohammed and Araghchi reviewed the state of Saudi-Iranian relations and exchanged views on recent developments across the region. The crown prince underscored the Kingdom's hope that the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel would help lay the groundwork for enhanced regional security and stability. Reaffirming Saudi Arabia's longstanding support for diplomatic solutions, the crown prince stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes and reducing tensions. For his part, Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Kingdom's stance in condemning Israeli aggression, and praised Prince Mohammed's personal commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart in Makkah, where the two officials also discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to foster regional cooperation. Their talks focused on the evolving situation in the region and mutual efforts to safeguard security and stability.
The National
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Gulf states grow wary after Iran's attack on Qatar tests regional detente
One week after Iran launched a missile strike on the US-operated Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, Gulf countries are walking a diplomatic tightrope, voicing concern over Tehran's actions while carefully keeping the door open for engagement. The attack, which came in response to US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, was publicly condemned by all Gulf capitals. While Tehran described the strike as an act of 'self defence' and took precautions to avoid civilian harm, the barrage pierced a long-standing regional red line: direct military action against a Gulf state's territory. For many in the region, the strike revived an uncomfortable question: can Iran truly be a partner in regional stability? Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others have sought closer relations with Iran over recent years in hope of fostering calm. But Iran's strike in Qatar could undermine efforts by Gulf states to bring Tehran in from the cold, based on the premise that engagement would lead to a more secure region. Though the 19 missiles caused no casualties or damage to Qatari territory or the air base, the symbolism was clear. The full-throated condemnations from Gulf states reflected anger, but the absence of further escalation suggests that warming ties with Iran may have been a shock absorber. 'The Iranian attack on Al Udeid Airbase was seen in a negative light by the Gulf countries. Although it was just a performance for local consumption in Iran, the Gulf doesn't want the Iranians to perform at their expense,' Saudi political analyst Ali Shihabi told The National. 'Gulf states were very clearly irritated and wanted to send Iran a strong message that this sort of performance is unacceptable. That said, I believe both the Gulf countries and Iran remain committed to maintaining civilised ties, and that engagement will continue.' The Saudi-Iran detente, brokered by China in 2023, was always based on fragile trust and a mutual desire to reduce tension. Despite the latest setback, Riyadh is unlikely to abandon the agreement outright. Saudi leaders probably calculate that keeping open communication channels with Tehran still serves their interests. The detente has yielded tangible dividends: cross-border attacks by Iranian-backed groups on Saudi territory have subsided, and tension in Yemen has eased, allowing Riyadh to focus on domestic priorities, including the economic transformation outlined in Vision 2030. On Sunday, Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman received a phone call from the Iranian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Abdolrahim Mousavi, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 'During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations in the defence field and discussed regional developments, as well as efforts to maintain security and stability,' the SPA said. Maj Gen Mousavi replaced Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed last month in Israeli strikes as part of the conflict with Iran. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a written message from his Iranian counterpart regarding bilateral relations and ways to enhance them across all fields, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. From Tehran's perspective, the Qatar attack was not intended to damage Gulf relations. 'Fortunately, our relations with our neighbours in the southern … Gulf were not affected by this attack,' a Tehran-based analyst close to the Iranian government told The National. 'The necessary co-operation with the state of Qatar took place beforehand. We convinced them that this attack was in no way an attack on the territory and sovereignty of Qatari soil, but a legitimate attack on American interests.' Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran would respond to any future US attack by striking American military bases in the Middle East, in his first televised remarks since a ceasefire was reached between Iran and Israel. He said that his country had 'delivered a slap to America's face'. China's role The latest escalation has also put a spotlight on China 's role. As the mediator of the Saudi-Iran agreement, Beijing had placed itself as a stabilising force in the region. But observers say that its role has remained largely symbolic since the 2023 accord. 'China doesn't seem to have played much of a role in the recent escalations and appears to have adopted a non-interference posture,' said Mr Shihabi. 'That may reflect the limits of China's influence over Iran.' Zhou Rong, a senior analyst at Renmin University of China, said that Beijing is co-ordinating with Gulf countries, including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to 'make things better'. 'China has a positive influence over Iran, but it will help it within its own capacity,' said Mr Zhou. 'Beijing may also offer a platform for Iran and Israel to settle tensions through direct talks if needed. China maintains normal – even good – relations with Israel, and even better ones with Iran.' Last week, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, said that while Gulf states strongly opposed the Israeli war on Iran and actively worked to de-escalate hostilities, Iran still attacked the sovereignty of Qatar. 'Today, as we turn the page on the war, Tehran remains called upon to restore trust with its Gulf neighbours, which was damaged by this aggression,' Dr Gargash wrote on X. The Tehran-based analyst said: 'Of course, there is work. One of the key elements of Iran's foreign policy agenda is advancing the 'neighbourhood policy'. And we, as a large nation in the region, are certainly making efforts to address the concerns of our smaller neighbours and strengthen the level of relations, both officially and unofficially."
Times of Oman
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Foreign Minister, Egyptian counterpart hold closed-door meeting in Cairo
Cairo: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, held a closed-door meeting with Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Omani-Egyptian Joint Committee in Cairo. During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed the distinguished cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt, emphasizing their mutual support for strategically advancing this partnership across various fields. This commitment aims to deepen the shared interests of the two brotherly nations and yield greater mutual benefits. The two ministers also discussed a number of regional issues and recent developments relevant to the political and security priorities of both countries. They stressed the importance of ensuring coordination, aligning perspectives, and integrating efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy in addressing various challenges and crises, while containing the causes of conflict and escalation for the benefit and stability of the entire region.
Al Arabiya
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire holds as questions over its future remain
In this episode of Global News Today, presented by Tom Burges Watson, we bring you the latest on the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel after days of escalating conflict. As both sides hold fire, we examine what led to the truce, what it means for regional stability, and whether this uneasy calm can hold. Guests: Major General Chip Chapman – Security and military expert and former head of British counterterrorism Michael Oren – Former Israeli ambassador to the United States General Philip Breedlove – Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and Former Vice Chief of Staff of the US Air Force
