Skip to main content

Saudi Arabia Calls For Urgent Arab Talks Over Iran Tensions



Saudi Arabia has called for emergency regional talks to discuss mounting Gulf tensions, saying Sunday that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself.
King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent “aggression and their consequences”, the kingdom’s official SPA news agency reported Saturday.
The announcement came days after mysterious sabotage attacks against several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone attacks on a crude pipeline by Iran-aligned Yemen rebels, which Riyadh claimed were carried out on Iranian orders.
The United States has also deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran.
READ ALSO: Swiss Vote To Tighten Gun Laws, Safeguard EU Relations
Saudi Arabia’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself.
Saudi Arabia “does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it,” he said.
“But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests.”
The kingdom’s regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation.
The UAE’s foreign ministry said the current “critical circumstances” require a unified Arab and Gulf stance.
The meetings will be a “significant opportunity for the countries of the region to achieve their aspirations for establishing peace and stability,” it said.

 Sabotage probe ongoing

Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE’s Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war.
That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday by Yemen’s Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed.
Jubeir said the UAE was leading the probe into the damaged oil tankers but added that “we have some indications and we will make the announcements once the investigations are completed”.
The Emirates has said three Western countries — the US, France and Norway — would also be part of the investigation, along with the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Neither of the two Gulf states, both close allies of the United States, have given details on the exact nature of the ship attacks.
Despite international scepticism, the US government has cited increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy of both the US and its regional allies, including Israel and Saudi Arabia.
SPA said Sunday that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region.
The US has already strengthened its military presence in the region, deploying several of strategic B-52 bombers in response to alleged Iranian threats.
US President Donald Trump last week predicted that Iran would “soon” want to negotiate.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz attends the 29th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia. PHOTO: STR / AFP

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Makinde gives Ajimobi’s aides 48 hours to return govt vehicles

On wednesday, the Governor Oyo StateSeyi Makinde gave former governor Abiola Ajimobi’s aides a 48-hour ultimatum to return government vehicles with them. The state government in a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, said the former state officials must comply with the directive. The statement read, “ Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that all former political functionaries who are still in possession of government vehicles to return them to Government Transport Pool within 48 hours. “Failure to which the security agencies shall be directed to retrieve such vehicles from wherever they may have  been kept.” Receive Alerts on: Whatsapp: +2349065979437, Twitter: @  claronetviews,  follow our official page on facebook@ Claronet Share your story with us: SMS:  +2349065979437 , Whatsapp:  +2349065979437 , Email: peterclarene20 @claronetview.com
Post a Comment
Read more

President Buhari's Wife Perform Lesser Hajj In Makkah

President Muhammadu Buhari and wife, Aisha, on Saturday, performed Umrah (lesser Hajj) at the Masjid Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Buhari who embarked on the journey with close personal aides on Thursday, May 16, 2019, was invited by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom. READ ALSO:  Former President Jonathan Denies Withdrawing ‘Billions’ From Treasury He is expected back in the country on Tuesday, May 21. See photos below:
Post a Comment
Read more

Zverev outlasts Jarry in thrilling final to clinch Geneva Open title

Germany's Alexander Zverev did his French Open preparations a world of good by beating Chile's Nicolas Jarry 6-3 3-6 7-6(8) in a difficult, rain-hit final at the Geneva Open on Sunday. Top seed Zverev, looking for his first title win on clay since clinching the Italian Open last year, had endured a disappointing season so far and had not won a title since the ATP Finals in London in November. The 22-year-old did not have it easy, taking two hours and 35 minutes to eventually get the better of his unseeded opponent in a match where both players had numerous match points. Two rain delays added to the drama. Zverev was not as his best with eight double faults punctuating his victory, five of which came in the final set, and he converted only one of 12 break points over the course of the match. Jarry, who beat Zverev in Barcelona on the same surface in a three-setter last month, fired six aces to Zverev's thre...
Post a Comment
Read more