Latest news with #MiddleEastStability
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Iraqi foreign minister calls for emergency meeting of Arab counterparts next week
LONDON: Iraq's foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, on Wednesday called for an emergency meeting of his Arab counterparts to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran, which he said poses destabilizing risks to the wider Middle East. He suggested it take place on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Council of Foreign Ministers, which is due to begin in Istanbul on Saturday. The aim of the emergency meeting would be to coordinate Arab positions on the escalation of the military confrontation between Israel and Iran, who have been exchanging attacks since Friday. Also on Wednesday, Hussein called his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to discuss the conflict and its repercussions for the security and stability of the region, officials said. Iraq currently chairs the Arab League, which held its most recent summit in Baghdad in May. Egypt hosts the League's headquarters in Cairo.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Putin wades in: Russia warns Trump against bombing Iran and says Israel is 'millimetres away' from sparking nuclear 'catastrophe' with its airstrikes as Trump considers US military attack
Russia 's top brass has issued stark warnings to US President Donald Trump, urging the White House to stay out of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran as American military assets bear down on the region. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov declared that US military assistance to Israel could 'radically destabilise the Middle East' as Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the world was 'millimetres from catastrophe'. The head of the SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, described the situation as 'critical' and added his agents were 'in contact with special intelligence services of both Iran and Israel'. Vladimir Putin meanwhile has reiterated his willingness to act as a mediator between the warring parties as he seeks to position Moscow as a regional power broker. Fears that the United States could wade into yet another war in the Middle East grew yesterday when a security source revealed Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said 'We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.' Russia's insistence that the US must exercise restraint in the conflict comes after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed to punish Israel for its strikes, dismissed Trump's call for 'unconditional surrender' and said that an American military intervention would lead to 'irreparable consequences'. The Kremlin issued a statement following a conversation between Putin and his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that called for a 'speedy end to hostilities' using 'political and diplomatic means'. Israel on Friday began a brutal campaign of air strikes against Iran's nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia, along with Turkey, the Arab world and several other nations, condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities and Khamenei has refused to back down, declaring that Iran has every right to defend itself. The Kremlin, despite having denounced Israel's assault and used the opportunity to hit out at the Western world for contributing to 'anti-Iran hysteria', has stopped short of backing Tehran in any military capacity. Putin's war in Ukraine has been made possible by enduring support from Tehran, and Russia and Iran signed a sweeping strategic partnership earlier this year to formalise their military and political alignment. But the Russian President was always going to put his own interests and those of his country before his allegiances to the Islamic Republic, and is using the opportunity to manoeuvre into a position as a power broker, mediator and potential saviour. A Kremlin statement at the weekend pointed out that 'the US is ready to hold another round of talks with Iran on the latter's nuclear programme in Oman'. Putin also personally telephoned the White House on Saturday to offer Moscow's services as an intermediary between Jerusalem and Tehran. A successful resolution of the Israel-Iran hostilities off the back of Russian mediation would be hugely supportive of Putin's efforts to portray Russia as a leader of the non-Western world and an enduring power with significant global influence. It would also likely earn Putin a significant amount of good grace from Trump that could prove useful in future ceasefire negotiations with Kyiv. In the meantime, the Israel-Iran conflict offers a convenient distraction from the Russian armed forces' incessant assault on Ukraine's territory. Putin's troops this week launched one of their most brutal attacks on Kyiv of the war so far, unleashing waves of missiles and drones that destroyed apartment blocks and left more than two dozen people dead, with more still unaccounted for. Iranian Red Crescent Society members search through the rubble for victims after Israeli strikes As Putin works to insert himself into the Israel-Iran conflict, Trump is said to be considering a US strike on Tehran following Situation Room crisis talks with security advisers. Trump was given three options by advisors about how the largest military in history should assist Israel in demolishing Iran's nuclear programme, according to The New York Times. The most conservative option was to instruct the US Air Force to refuel Israeli airplanes so they could sustain their bombing campaigns over Iran, as well as to offer intelligence to increase the efficacy of Israel's strikes. The second option included American and Israeli joint strikes on Iran. The third and most hawkish variant was reportedly a US-led military campaign that included the deployment of B-1 and B-2 stealth bombers, aircraft carriers and 'cruise missiles launched from submarines'. Four US B-52 Stratofortress bombers have already been stationed at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean - within striking distance of Iran. The B-52s, which can carry nuclear weapons or other precision-guided bombs, were spotted on a runway at Diego Garcia on Monday. While those were being deployed, Trump urged Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' and even issued a death threat to Khamenei after he abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada yesterday. He said the US knows where the Supreme Leader is hiding out, but doesn't want him killed 'for now.' While Trump weighs his options, Israel this afternoon conducted new attacks across Tehran, one of which was claimed to have destroyed Iran 's internal security headquarters.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Starmer urges Iran and Israel to 'step back' after strikes targeting Tehran
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged restraint following Israeli strikes targeting Iran's nuclear of a full-scale conflict have been stoked by warnings of "severe punishment" from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reports of drone launches in response.A Cobra meeting is expected early this afternoon to discuss the UK response to the emergency Secretary David Lammy has also cancelled a planned trip to Washington DC to meet his his counterpart Marco Rubio, although there is no plan for a ministerial statement in the House of Commons. UK officials said the UK did not play any part in the action overnight but is continuing to monitor the prime minister said: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. "Escalation serves no-one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. "Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."Posting on X, Lammy also stressed stability in the Middle East was "vital" for global security."Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no-one's interest," he said. "This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint."Rubio also said that Israel acted unilaterally, adding in a post on X, that the US is "not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region".The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had "struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme" and "the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme".Netanyahu added the "operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat".Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the UK "must use our influence and diplomacy" to deliver "stability in the Middle East".In a post on X, Dame Priti also called for a de-escalation of tensions, adding: "The world is an increasingly dangerous place with significant threats to our national interests, security and Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said international leadership is needed from the UK Government."People across the UK and the world will be fearing the break-out of widespread regional conflict in the Middle East, following Israel's strikes overnight," he said."The UK must work with allies to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions through diplomacy, not war." Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Arab News
11-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
A strategic opportunity amid regional challenges
US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia on May 13 comes at a critical time for the Middle East in general, and the Saudi-American partnership specifically. Amid an extremely complicated regional landscape — defined by continued Israeli aggression and instability in Gaza, rising tensions across multiple fronts, and broader shifts in global alignments — this visit offers both sides an opportunity to reaffirm shared interests and outline a common vision for regional stability. For Saudi Arabia, the visit is particularly significant. As one of the most important longstanding US partners in the region, the Kingdom recognizes the value of deepening dialogue at the highest levels, especially as a means to promote de-escalation and pursue diplomatic pathways in a rapidly evolving environment. With many of the issues in the Middle East left unresolved — the conflict in Gaza, the political transition in Syria, and the future of Iran's nuclear program, to name just a few — the need for coordinated efforts, especially between Washington and Riyadh, would appear to be more pressing than ever. Trump's visit will provide an opportunity to review the broader scope of US-Saudi relations. Bilateral cooperation has expanded in recent years to include new areas of interest such as clean energy, critical minerals, space, and advanced technologies. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic transformation plan continues to open new sectors for investment and partnership, and US companies remain well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from these opportunities. As has traditionally been the case, security and defense cooperation will remain a central component of the dialogue, particularly in light of shared concerns about maritime security, regional arms proliferation, and the activities of non-state actors. The Kingdom continues to support efforts to enhance stability in the Gulf, including a coordinated dual policy composed of building deterrence capabilities and seeking confidence-building with neighboring countries. At the same time, Riyadh is expected to raise the importance of strategic clarity and long-term reliability in the defense partnership. Discussions may touch on the Kingdom's aspirations for greater and more clearly defined security cooperation, as well as potential civil nuclear energy development under appropriate international frameworks and safeguards. On the regional and international geopolitical front, consensus between Riyadh and Washington is harder to come by. Saudi Arabia has consistently emphasized the importance of a sustainable and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rooted in international law and the longstanding parameters of a two-state solution. In recent months, the Kingdom has played a constructive role in consultations with regional and global partners to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the protection of civilians, and paving the way for a credible political process to end the ongoing injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people. Progress towards resolving the Palestinian issue remains central not only to long-term regional stability but also to normalization in the region. Dr. Abdulaziz Sager Thus, while the Kingdom values its relationships with all partners, it has made clear that normalization with Israel will not occur without meaningful progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, with guarantees of sovereignty, dignity, and security for its people. These are not new positions, but the current context requires renewed commitment and viable, practical, and irreversible steps. Trump's visit presents an opportunity to align efforts. But while US engagement remains essential to advancing a lasting peace, it must be understood that progress towards resolving the Palestinian issue remains central not only to long-term regional stability but also to further cooperation and normalization in the region. The visit also comes at a time when regional diplomacy is both urgently needed and increasingly complex. For Saudi Arabia and the US alike, this is a chance to reaffirm a long-standing partnership while exploring how to jointly address evolving regional and global realities. The outcomes of the visit will therefore not be measured solely by public statements or agreements, but by the extent to which both sides can align on a shared strategic direction — one that balances stability, development, and diplomacy. Outside of the Middle East, the regional and global landscape has evolved considerably since Trump's last term in office. To position itself in such a volatile environment, Saudi Arabia has pursued a policy of diversification in its international relations, engaging constructively with a wide range of partners, including China, India, Russia, and the EU. These relationships are part of a broader strategy to promote economic growth, attract investment, and foster political stability through balanced diplomacy. Nonetheless, the US continues to play a unique role as a strategic partner, particularly in areas of defense, high technology, and regional diplomacy. Riyadh seeks to strengthen its relationship with Washington through institutionalized mechanisms and forward-looking cooperation that views today's challenges as tomorrow's opportunities. Saudi Arabia will continue to advocate for pragmatic solutions, including efforts to de-escalate ongoing conflicts and address their root causes. The Kingdom looks forward to engaging with the US not only on security issues, but also through economic, technological, and environmental collaboration that serves the interests of both countries and the wider region. As Trump arrives in Jeddah, both countries have the opportunity to set a tone of mutual respect, constructive engagement, and long-term cooperation. The visit is expected to reaffirm the depth of the US-Saudi relationship while allowing for candid discussions on pressing issues — from Gaza and regional stability to economic diversification and strategic coordination. At a time of uncertainty, the strength of diplomacy lies in its ability to lead to consensus, foster dialogue, and offer realistic paths forward. This visit will be precisely such a moment. • Dr. Abdulaziz Sager is chairman of the Gulf Research Center.
