Latest news with #Iranian-Saudi
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Saudi airline resumes first Iran hajj flights since 2015
A Saudi airline has resumed flights for Iranian hajj pilgrims to the kingdom for the first time in a decade, the latest sign of the warming ties between the countries. "Flynas resumed Iranian pilgrims flights from Imam Khomeini (airport) in Tehran on Saturday," a Saudi civil aviation authority official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said flights would also be added from Mashhad in Iran, allowing more than 35,000 pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia on the airline. Flynas is a budget airline based in Saudi Arabia, which operates domestic and international routes. The official stressed that the flights were not commercial and were only for the hajj pilgrimage. The hajj is due to begin during the first week of June, and pilgrims from across the globe have already begun pouring into Saudi Arabia. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed relations in March 2023 under a surprise China-brokered deal after a seven-year rupture. Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests after Saudi Arabia executed Nimr al-Nimr. Since the March 2023 Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, the regional powers have intensified their contacts. The two exchanged ambassadors and visits of foreign ministers before the late Ebrahim Raisi made the first visit by an Iranian president to the kingdom in 20 years for a joint Arab-Islamic summit on the Gaza war in November 2023. In December, Iran Air resumed operations between Mashhad and Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia. Last month, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled in a rare visit by a Saudi royal to Iran where he also met supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
L'Orient-Le Jour
05-05-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Abu Dhabi formalizes the lifting of the travel ban to Lebanon starting May 7
The United Arab Emirates officially announced Sunday the lifting of a travel ban to Lebanon for Emirati citizens, following a visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Abu Dhabi earlier in the week. The decision will take effect May 7. Emiratis have faced regular travel restrictions to Lebanon since 2021, amid cooling ties between Beirut and Gulf monarchies driven by Iranian-Saudi tensions and Hezbollah's role in Lebanese politics. The most recent ban was issued in August 2023, just weeks before the outbreak of the Hezbollah-Israel war. The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that citizens must register on the "Twajudi" platform before traveling and upon return. Travelers are required to submit details such as their residence in Lebanon, emergency contacts, and reasons for their visit. Failure to comply could result in legal action. The decision was initially announced May 1. The UAE Embassy in Beirut confirmed the move to L'Orient-Le Jour, though it did not provide further details on how the procedures will be implemented. 'Lebanon is Emiratis' second homeland,' says Rajji Following the announcement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the decision 'a reflection of the depth of fraternal ties between the two countries.' He added, 'It is an initiative that deserves our deepest gratitude to the Emirati state and its president, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Lebanon and the Lebanese eagerly await to welcome back their Emirati brothers — and all their brothers from the Gulf and Arab world — across all regions of Lebanon.' Foreign Minister Joe Rajji expressed his 'deep gratitude' on X to Emirati leadership and the Foreign Ministry for allowing travel to resume starting May 7. 'We look forward to welcoming Emirati nationals to their second homeland, Lebanon,' he wrote. Tourism Minister Laura al-Khazen Lahoud said the announcement 'reflects support for the measures taken by the Lebanese government and various security services to offer quality tourism services and ensure the safety and comfort of visitors.' She described it as a 'restoration of confidence in Lebanon' and voiced hope that 'other Gulf Cooperation Council countries will soon follow the Emirates' example so Lebanon can regain its place as a favored destination for Arabs and a hub for tourism and culture in the region.' Elected Jan. 9, President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam — appointed a month later — have made repairing ties with Gulf states a top priority. Aoun has already visited Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Al Arabiya
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Saudi defense minister's visit to Iran turning point in ties: Tehran's envoy to Riyadh
Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, told Al Arabiya on Monday that last week's visit by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran marked a 'turning point' in relations between the two countries. 'We entered a new era of relations with the visit of the Saudi defense minister,' Enayati said in an interview, adding that the future of Iranian-Saudi ties is promising. He also noted the successful development in relations between both countries since restoring diplomatic ties. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement, brokered by China, to reestablish diplomatic relations after seven years of no formal ties. The Kingdom had severed ties with Iran in 2016 following attacks by pro-regime protesters on its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad. Prince Khalid met last week with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran where he delivered a letter from King Salman. During his trip, Prince Khalid also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and chief of staff of the armed forces Mohammad Bagheri. 'We want to build a promising and bright future for our region and this requires cooperation, togetherness and collaboration among its countries especially between Iran and Saudi Arabia,' Enayati said.
