Germany says Iran suspending IAEA cooperation is ‘disastrous signal'
'For a diplomatic solution it is essential for Iran to work with the IAEA,' foreign ministry spokesman Martin Giese told reporters, after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian formally enacted the suspension which followed Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities.
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Al Arabiya
38 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
MBS welcomes UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon to Saudi Arabia
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sheikh Tahnoon, also the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, conveyed greetings of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, along with his wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Kingdom, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). For his part, MBS extended his wishes for the UAE's continued progress and development. 'This meeting comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between the leaderships of the two brotherly countries regarding various issues related to the security and stability of the region, and coordination on the current developments taking place in the region,' Sheikh Tahnoon was quoted as saying. He added that the UAE believes in the importance of joint Arab action and continued communication to face the challenges of the region. MBS and Sheikh Tahnoon also discussed ways to boost bilateral ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, 'given its positive impact on the advancement and prosperity of the region.'
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia's first THAAD battery is now fully operational, top US general says
Saudi Arabia's first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery is now fully operational, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Erik Kurilla said on Thursday after a recent trip to the Middle East. Kurilla went to Saudi Arabia from June 30 to July 1, according to a readout of his visit, where he met with Saudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. Discussions centered on shared security concerns and strengthening the military-to-military relationship, including cooperation and interoperability, according to CENTCOM. 'Gen. Kurilla congratulated the Royal Saudi Armed Forces on achieving full operational capability of their first Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system on 1 July,' CENTCOM said. While in Saudi Arabia, Kurilla also met with the chief of staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces. The pair discussed regional threats and efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Last month, the State Department approved a $3.5 billion for the sale of advanced missiles and weapons to Saudi Arabia. The agreement involves the sale of 1,000 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 50 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections to the Kingdom. Washington also approved the sale of precision-guided weapon systems to Saudi Arabia in March. Kurilla visits other capitals in the region The outgoing CENTCOM chief also stopped in Qatar, Jordan, Israel and Greece to visit the US servicemembers "involved in the defense of US forces and interests across the region." Kurilla visited Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to visit the US troops who took down ballistic missiles targeting the base, launched by Iran in retaliation for the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites. In Jordan, Kurilla met with US forces and senior Jordanian military officials. He hailed the Jordanian Armed Forces, 'which continues to serve as a steadfast and capable strategic partner for peace and stability in the region.' The US general went to Israel on July 2 to visit US service members deployed there 'in defense of US citizens and the state of Israel.' His meetings with Israeli officials were to review the recent Iran-Israel war, according to the Israeli army, which said it 'expresses deep appreciation [to the US] for the strategic cooperation' during the 12-Day War. Kurilla met with US Navy personnel in Crete, Greece, and thanked them for supporting CENTCOM through ballistic missile defense, maritime security operations, and other efforts. 'At every stop on this trip, I saw firsthand the professionalism, competence, and skill of our servicemembers and the immense value they bring to our partnerships,' Kurilla said. 'They are also the cornerstone of our regional relationships that are critical to regional stability, deterrence, and readiness.'
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
US Recalls Top Diplomat in Colombia as Tensions with President Petro Escalate
The Trump administration on Thursday recalled its top diplomat in Colombia for urgent consultations after recent comments from Colombia's president appearing to question the US position on an alleged plan to remove him from office. The US State Department said Thursday that the chargé d'affaires at the US embassy in Bogotá, John McNamara, would be returning to Washington following 'baseless and reprehensible statements' from the highest levels of the government of Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded in kind, recalling Colombia's ambassador to Washington for consultation. He said he wants to talk to Amb. Daniel García Peña about progress on Colombia's priorities in the bilateral relationship. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in statement that the administration would also be pursuing other measures to 'make clear our deep concern over the current state of our bilateral relationship.' The statement did not elaborate on the reasons for the recall. Petro has grappled this week with an apparent effort by current or former members of his administration to push him from office. Colombia's Attorney General's Office said Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into a plan allegedly led by Petro's own former Foreign Affairs Minister Álvaro Leyva. Spanish newspaper El País had published audio recordings over the weekend that appeared to contemplate such a plan. Leyva had allegedly approached some US lawmakers to rally international pressure on Petro. On Wednesday, Petro said on X that there had been an attempted coup, and he called on the US justice system to investigate. 'The other times that they have wanted to kill me, the previous US administration helped me,' he wrote. 'From here on, Bolivar's sword follows its libertarian path and the energy of the light and vibrant people. And the US government?'
