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[1/4] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives U.S. President Joe Biden at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. Biden would also score a foreign policy win as he seeks re-election in November 2024. The focus is on Biden’s fellow Democrats who have condemned Saudi Arabia over human rights but whose support would be needed if any agreement requires congressional approval. Though foreign policy rarely sways U.S. elections, Biden, facing a re-election fight against Republican former president Donald Trump, may be thinking of his legacy. Murphy, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he favors Israeli-Saudi normalization and is open to reviewing any broader agreement but would not be easily convinced.

Persons: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Israel, “, ”, Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Biden’s, Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Aaron David Miller, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Chris Murphy, Murphy, Jared Kushner, Trump, Abraham, Netanyahu, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, Dan Williams, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Saudi Crown, Al, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, Rights, Atlantic Council, Saudi, Israel, Republicans, Israeli, Republican, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, SAUDI, MbS, NATO, Reuters, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Abraham Accords, Middle, General, Trump, Biden, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Israel, U.S, Riyadh, Iran, Gulf, East, Russia, Ukraine, Saudi, Yemen, “, United States, Washington, Jerusalem

☆ Saudi Arabia wants to buy its way into a major 6th-gen fighter jet project, but not all its potential partners are welcoming
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia reportedly wants to join the effort, but Japan is said to be wary of letting Riyadh in. A senior British defense told The Financial Times that the UK views "Saudi Arabia as a key partner in the fighter program and we are working to ensure strong progress as soon as possible." AdvertisementAdvertisementJapan also fears Saudi Arabia might want to export the cutting-edge jet to adversaries, such as China and Russia, or use its veto power to prevent Tokyo from exporting it to one of its allies. Indonesia, for example, has joined South Korea's KF-21 Boramae project, which aims to produce a quasi-stealth fighter jet by the late 2020s. AdvertisementAdvertisementOn the other side of Asia, Azerbaijan recently joined Turkey's TF Kaan stealth fighter project.

Persons: Bill Bostock, milch, Shigeto Kondo, Pascal Rossignol, GCAP, Tempest, China's, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Global Combat Air Program, The Financial Times, Financial Times, Britain's Telegraph, Japanese Institute of, Eastern, Al, KF, Indo, Getty, South Korea's KF, Turkey's TF, JF, 51st Paris Air Show, REUTERS, Rafale Locations: Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Wall, Silicon, Tokyo, British, London, Saudi, China, Russia, Jakarta, AFP, Indonesia, Asia, Azerbaijan, Ankara, Pakistan, Baku

☆ First Saudi ambassador arrives in Tehran after rapprochement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view of the flags of Iran and Saudi Arabia before the meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in Tehran, Iran June 17, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCAIRO, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's first ambassador to Iran since the resumption of diplomatic relations arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to start his new mission there, the Saudi state news agency said. The agency quoted Ambassador Abdullah bin Saud al-Anzi as saying the Saudi leadership stresses the importance of strengthening relations with Iran with more communication and meetings between the two countries. Last March, China brokered a rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran, leading to a resumption of full diplomatic relations. Saudi Arabia broke off relations in 2016 when protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran over Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric.

Persons: Hossein Amir, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Majid Asgaripour, Abdullah bin Saud, Omar Abdel, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Iranian, Saudi Arabia's Foreign, West Asia News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Arabia's, Thomson Locations: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Tehran, Rights CAIRO, China, Riyadh

☆ Oil jumps as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend supply cuts to end-2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Riyadh's decision to extend its 1 million bpd voluntary cut will be reviewed monthly to consider whether to deepen the cut or increase production, state news agency SPA said on Tuesday. It has been cutting output and exports in tandem with Saudi Arabia on top of existing OPEC+ supply reductions. Russia had said it would cut oil exports voluntarily by 500,000 bpd, about 5% of its output, in August and by 300,000 bpd in September. Although Saudi Arabia was widely expected to extend its voluntary cuts into October, and Russia had indicated that it too planned on expanding its cut through next month, the three month extension was unexpected. Brent, which is used to price over three-quarters of the world's traded oil, has been rising since late June, after Riyadh first announced its voluntary cuts.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Sharon Singleton, Jason Neely, Jan Harvey, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, OPEC, Reuters, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Brent, Riyadh, London, Tokyo, Beijing

☆ A potential first-of-its-kind fighter jet purchase could be a sign Saudi Arabia isn't happy with what it's getting from the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering a large number of French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets. In July, Germany announced it would not allow additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to be delivered Saudi Arabia. The Saudi air force's 72 Eurofighters are its second most numerous fighter type behind its US-made F-15s. Bandar Algaloud/ReutersIn the near-term, Saudi Arabia may find Rafales more burdensome than beneficial, given its extensive investment in US and British aircraft. A Saudi Air Force F-15 taxis for takeoff at King Faisal Air Base in February 2021.

Persons: France's, Toni Anne Barson, Sebastien Roblin, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Roblin, Salman, FAYEZ NURELDINE, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Rafales, Jamal Khashoggi, Bohl, Justin Bronk, Katherine Walters, Paul Iddon Organizations: Dassault Rafale, Saudi, Service, Privacy Policy, France's La Tribune, Eurofighter Typhoon, United Arab, La Tribune, French Dassault Rafale, Saudi Eurofighter Typhoon, Getty, East, NATO, Bandar Algaloud, Reuters, British, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal United Services Institute, Saudi Air Force, King Faisal Air Base, US Air Force, Staff, Rafale, Washington Locations: Saudi Arabia, British, Riyadh, Wall, Silicon, Privacy Policy Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, French, Provence, Washington, Yemen, Iran, China, France, AFP, London, Russia, North Africa, NATO, United States, Bandar, Croatia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Greece

☆ Saudi crown prince meets Iran's foreign minister as relations thaw
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Footage of the meeting on Iranian state media showed MbS and Amirabdollahian smiling as they spoke, while Prince Faisal and the Iranian delegation looked on. Saudi state news agency SPA said they discussed international and regional developments. [1/3]Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia August 18, 2023. Prince Faisal visited Tehran in June and said he hoped Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi would visit the kingdom at the "appropriate time". Saudi Arabia had meanwhile lost confidence in U.S. commitment to shared regional security concerns and wanted to bolster ties with China, which has retained good relations with Iran.

Persons: Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Amirabdollahian, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Faisal, Saudi Crown Prince, Hossein Amir, Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, General Antony Blinken, Angus McDowall, Mark Potter, Conor Humphries Organizations: Saudi Arabian Crown, Saudi, MbS, Saudi Crown, Iranian, Iran's Foreign, West Asia News Agency, REUTERS Acquire, Iran's, U.S, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Saudi, Jeddah, United States, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, Abdollahian, Saudi Arabia, China, Tehran, Iran, Ukraine, Beijing, East

☆ Iran foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday -state TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian is seen before a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not in picture) at Kishida's official residence in Tokyo, Japan August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/Pool/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian will visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Iran state TV reported on Thursday. In June, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Iranian officials in Tehran on his first visit to the country after the resumption of diplomatic ties with the Islamic republic in March. In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed in a China-brokered deal to end a diplomatic rift and reestablish relations following years of hostility that had endangered regional stability in the Gulf, as well as in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. Saudi Arabia broke ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran in retaliation for Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

Persons: Hossein Amirabdollahian, Fumio Kishida, Issei Kato, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Tom Hogue Organizations: Iranian, Japanese, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Arabian Foreign, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Tehran, China, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon

☆ How Saudi Arabia and UAE learned to stop worrying and love Turkey's Bayraktar drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signed multibillion-dollar deals for Turkish drones in recent months. Azeri Ministry of DefenseSaudi Arabia previously showed interest in procuring Turkish drones and securing rights for local production. Bakir told Insider that Turkish drones have gained "global recognition" due to their "affordability, efficiency, and lethal capabilities" and documented successes over modern battlefields. "Moreover, Saudi Arabia could use such capabilities to balance Iran's drone technology in the long run," Ozeren said. Ozeren said the Saudi deal could help Baykar "monopolize" drone technology in Turkey but noted that crucial details about the agreement remain unknown.

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Baykar, Abu Dhabi's, Loong, Loongs, Abu Dhabi, Abu, Ali Bakir, Erdogan, Mohammed bin Salman, Murat Kula, Bakir, Suleyman Ozeren, It's, Ozeren, Ali Atmaca, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Murat Centinmuhurdar, Bashar Assad, Paul Iddon Organizations: UAE, Service, United, United Arab Emirates, Turkey's Baykar Defense, Ministry of Defense, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Dassault Rafales, Ibn Khaldon, NATO, European Union, American University, Orion Policy Institute, Ataturk Airport, Security Initiative, Atlantic Council Locations: Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, United Arab, Turkish, Riyadh, East, North Africa, South Caucasus, Ukraine, Armenian, Ministry of Defense Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi, Istanbul, Yemen, Libya, Abu, Turkey, China, France, Qatar, Jeddah, Anadolu, Nahyan, Abu Dhabi

☆ Saudi Arabia is grappling with rising borrowing costs as it embarks on massive spending plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

It's getting more expensive for Saudi Arabia to borrow, with a key lending rate hitting a record 6%. The Gulf Kingdom plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars as part of its Vision 2030 project. It plans to fund those efforts with a combination of oil revenue and borrowed cash. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Saudi Arabia has also slashed its oil output by around 10%, or 1 million barrels a day, in a bid to bring in more revenue from its crude exports by squeezing up prices.

Persons: It's, Mohamed bin Salman, That's, bin Salman, LIV Golf Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Investment Fund, English Premier League soccer, Newcastle United, PGA Tour Locations: Saudi Arabia, Gulf Kingdom, Wall, Silicon, Gulf, Saudi, Refinitiv, SAIBOR

☆ Saudi Arabia's economic growth slows as oil cuts, price drops bite into revenues
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Saudi Arabia's economy slowed in the second quarter, as crude output cuts and a drop in oil prices reined in one of the fastest growing nations of the G20. Riyadh's GDP expanded by an annual 1.1% in the second quarter, the Saudi General Authority for Statistics said Monday, down from 3.8% in the previous quarter and 11.2% in the same period of 2022. The non-oil sector — where Saudi Arabia is directing its socioeconomic reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic diversification program — grew by 5.5% in the second quarter. But hydrocarbon-reliant Riyadh logged a 4.2% loss in non-oil GDP in the second quarter, bearing the brunt of lower global crude prices and voluntary oil production cuts. Oil prices spiked last year, as Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and ensuing international sanctions decoupled many Western consumers from Russian crude supplies.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Brent Organizations: Saudi General Authority, Statistics, Saudi, Commodities, Organization of, Petroleum, Monetary Fund Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Ukraine, London, OPEC, Russia, East, Central

☆ Israeli deputy says normalisation with Saudis does not appear imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, July 30 (Reuters) - A top Israeli lawmaker said on Sunday that any forging of relations with Saudi Arabia did not appear imminent, citing what he described as sticking points in negotiations currently being held between Riyadh and U.S. mediators. U.S. President Joe Biden, having dispatched his national security adviser to Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible normalisation deal with Israel that he deems a policy priority, said on Friday that "there's a rapprochement maybe under way". But Riyadh has not followed suit, saying Palestinian demands must first be met. Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, asked by reporters as he entered the weekly cabinet meeting whether there would be progress in the Saudi talks, said: "I hope so." Saudi Arabia seeks U.S. cooperation in establishing a civilian nuclear programme on its soil.

Persons: Joe Biden, Yuli Edelstein, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Tzachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu, Dan Williams, James Mackenzie, David Evans Organizations: United, Israel, Foreign Affairs, Defence Committee, Israel's Army, Washington, National Security, Tel, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, U.S, Israel, Gulf, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi, Tel Aviv

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ Saudi Arabia urges improved maritime security in Gulf as ties with Iran resume
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia wants enhanced maritime security in the crucial Gulf region as part of its rapprochement with long-time rival Iran, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Saturday. The kingdom broke ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in retaliation for Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Iran has recently been trying to mend its strained ties with several Gulf Arab states. Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iran has left Israel largely alone as it has sought to isolate Iran diplomatically. The United Arab Emirates, which was the first Gulf Arab country to sign a normalisation agreement with Israel in 2020, resumed formal relations with Iran last year.

Persons: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Prince Faisal, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Ebrahim Raisi, Amirabdollahian, Hatem Maher, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Mark Heinrich, Louise Heavens, Mike Harrison Organizations: Foreign, United, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Gulf, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Tehran, Saudi, Hormuz, United States, Israel, United Arab, Arab, Bahrain, Morocco, UAE, Cairo, Riyadh, Dubai

☆ Saudi foreign minister arrives in Tehran amid rapprochement -Iran TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Iran on Saturday amid a rapprochement between the two Middle East arch-foes, Iranian state TV said. The kingdom broke ties with Iran in 2016 after protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in retaliation for Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Iran has recently been trying to mend its strained ties with several Gulf Arab states. Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Iran has left Israel largely alone as it has sought to isolate Iran diplomatically. The United Arab Emirates, which was the first Gulf Arab country to sign a normalisation agreement with Israel in 2020, resumed formal relations with Iran last year.

Persons: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Bin Farhan, Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Mark Heinrich, Louise Heavens Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Foreign, United, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Tehran, Israel, United Arab, Arab, Bahrain, Morocco, UAE

☆ Saudi Arabia and China are part of a multipolar world order, and their mutual interests are 'strong and rising,' minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

watch nowSaudi Arabia sees China as a key partner in a multipolar world — with the two countries expected to only come closer as their common interests grow, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih told CNBC. "And we believe that economic cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and the entire Arab region, will be a significant part of that." The U.S. has military installments in Saudi Arabia, selling it advanced weaponry and providing training and joint operations with the Saudi military. Chinese President, Xi Jinping (L) is welcomed by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) at the Palace of Yamamah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 8, 2022. But we would see, going forward, more global champions from Saudi Arabia going to China to access a growing market of 1.4 billion high-consumption individuals."

Persons: Investment Khalid Al, Falih, — it's, CNBC's Dan Murphy, it's, Biden, Xi Jinping, Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Faisal bin Farhan, Antony Blinken, Fayez Nureldine Organizations: Saudi, Investment, CNBC, China Business Conference, GCC, Gulf Cooperation Council, U.S ., Anadolu Agency, Getty, Technology, Saudi Crown, Beijing, GCC Ministers, AFP Locations: Saudi Arabia, China, Riyadh, Africa, Central Asia, United States, Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, U.S, Saudi, we're, Washington, Yamamah, Beijing

[1/3] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 8, 2023. Speaking at a press conference alongside his Saudi counterpart, Blinken said the "historic" reform drive known as Vision 2030 would require Saudi Arabia to attract talent from around the world. "I think it’s on its own merits and in Saudi Arabia’s interests to continue to pursue this modernisation including the expansion of human rights," Blinken said. He said he raised with Saudi officials specific cases of U.S. citizens detained in Saudi Arabia, but declined to go into details. As well as some U.S. nationals who are subject to travel bans, human rights advocates say scores of activists and dissidents are in prison or on trial in the kingdom.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Faisal Bin Farhan, Ahmed Yosri, Blinken, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Saudi Foreign, Intercontinental, REUTERS, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, RIYADH, Saudi, U.S, Istanbul, Washington

[1/6] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on, as he attends a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 8, 2023. "And we’re also collaborating with countries in the region to widen and deepen the normalisation of relations with Israel." Saudi Arabia went the other way in April in restoring ties with Iran, its key regional rival and Israel's arch-enemy, in a Chinese-brokered deal. Other rows have simmered over the Saudi intervention in Yemen's devastating conflict, China ties and oil prices. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC states say the organisation is not politicised and only seeks to stabilise energy markets.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Faisal Bin Farhan, Ahmed Yosri, Jake Sullivan, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Karim Benzema, Blinken, we’re, Aziz Alghashian, Joe Biden's, Alghashian, Biden, Jamal Khashoggi, Blinken's, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Vladimir Putin, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Humeyra Pamuk, Maha El, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Saudi Foreign, Intercontinental, REUTERS, U.S, Saudi, White House, Crown, Gulf Cooperation Council, Al, Blinken, MbS, GCC, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Israel RIYADH, U.S, Iran, Washington's, Al, French, Jeddah, Al Ittihad, Yemen, Sudan, Israel, East, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Gulf, Israeli, Russia, China, Istanbul, OPEC, Ukraine

[1/5] Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 7, 2023. Amer Hilabi/Pool via REUTERSJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, June 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had an "open, candid" conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the early hours of Wednesday about a wide range of bilateral issues, a U.S. official said. Blinken and the crown prince, known as MbS, met for an hour and forty minutes, a U.S. official said, covering topics including Israel, the conflict in Yemen, unrest in Sudan as well as human rights. In April, Saudi Arabia restored ties with Iran, a regional rival and Israel's arch-foe. MbS and Blinken also discussed Yemen and potential ways to resolve remaining issues, while Blinken thanked the crown prince for the kingdom's role in pushing for a ceasefire in Sudan and helping evacuate U.S. citizens.

Persons: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Antony Blinken, Amer Hilabi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Mohammed, Blinken's, Donald Trump, Jonathan Fulton, Fulton, Blinken, Humeyra Pamuk, Aziz El Yaakoubi, El, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Mark Potter Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Crown, REUTERS, Saudi Crown, U.S, MbS, United, New York Times, Saudi, However U.S, Atlantic Council, Washington, ., normalising Saudi, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, REUTERS JEDDAH, Iran, Washington, Riyadh, United States, Arabia, OPEC, Israel, Yemen, Sudan, East, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, However, China, Arab, Beijing, Saudi

☆ Urawa's Skorza cautious of Al Hilal threat in second leg of final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 5 (Reuters) - Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza remains wary of the attacking threat posed by Asian Champions League holders Al Hilal as his side prepare for the second leg of the final at Saitama Stadium on Saturday. But after seeing Al Hilal score seven without reply in their semi-final versus Qatar's Al Duhail in February and strike three times in a 5-3 loss against Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final, Skorza remains cautious ahead of the decisive clash. "It wasn't our intention to play so defensively (in the first leg), it was because Al Hilal are such a good team and they didn't let us play offensively. Al Hilal are playing more in games like this, they are more experienced and can stay calm. Their last triumph came against Al Hilal when a late goal by Brazilian Rafael Silva secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.

☆ Al Hilal coach Diaz ignoring Messi speculation with focus on Asian final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 5 (Reuters) - Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz refused to be drawn on claims the Saudi Arabian club are attempting to sign Lionel Messi as he focused on his side's clash with Urawa Red Diamonds in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final on Saturday. "Now we're focused on the game," said Diaz, whose side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Riyadh last week. "We have the final and after the final we'll see what's going to happen." Al Hilal are chasing a record-extending fifth Asian Champions League success and are the holders after defeating Pohang Steelers in the 2021 final. "This team won the Asian Champions League twice (in the last three editions).

☆ Israel says it is discussing possible direct Haj flights to Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Netanyahu's centrist predecessor, Yair Lapid, said on March 10 that, as prime minister last year, he secured Saudi consent for what would be the first direct Haj flights from Israel, some 18% of whose population are Muslim. Asked whether the direct flights would happen for next month's pilgrimage to the holy Saudi city of Mecca, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said a request had been submitted. "But with that, I am optimistic that we can advance peace with Saudi Arabia." The Biden administration last June predicted there would be direct charter flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia for the Haj. Saudi Arabia has been allowing Israeli airlines to overfly it to UAE and Bahrain since 2020, a corridor that it and next-door Oman have since expanded to include other destinations.

☆ Iran's embassy in Riyadh opens gates for first time in years
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Aziz El Yaakoubi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The heavy gates of the Iranian embassy's compound were open in Riyadh with a team inspecting its premises, a Reuters reporter said. The diplomatic mission opened hours after the Iranian foreign ministry said a technical delegation arrived in the kingdom. "The Iranian delegation will take the necessary measures in Riyadh and Jeddah to set up the embassy and consulate general," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, said in a statement. Riyadh accused Iran of arming the Houthis, who went on to attack Saudi cities with armed drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi officials also arrived in Iran to discuss procedures for reopening Riyadh's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Saturday.

☆ Iran to send delegation to Saudi Arabia for embassy reopening- ISNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, April 9 (Reuters) - An Iranian technical delegation will visit Saudi Arabia this week to prepare for the reopening of Iran's embassy in Riyadh, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Sunday. The announcement comes days after the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on Thursday for the first formal gathering of their top diplomats in more than seven years, after China brokered a deal to restore relations between the top regional powers. "The Iranian technical delegation will visit Tehran's embassy in Riyadh and make arrangements for the reopening of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia," ISNA reported. The Saudi foreign ministry had said on Saturday that officials had visited Iran to discuss procedures for reopening Riyadh's diplomatic missions in the Islamic Republic. "The Saudi delegation visited the Saudi embassy in Tehran this morning," ISNA added.

☆ Saudi, Omani envoys arrive in Sanaa for peace talks with Houthi leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The visit indicates progress in the Oman-mediated consultations between Riyadh and Sanaa, which run in parallel to U.N. peace efforts. Peace efforts have also gained momentum after arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reestablish ties in a deal brokered by China. Yemen's war is seen as one of several proxy battles between Iran and Saudi Arabia. A Houthi official said on Saturday the group had received 13 detainees released by Saudi Arabia in exchange for a Saudi detainee freed earlier, ahead of a wider prisoner exchange agreed by the warring sides. The Saudi government media office did not respond to a Reuters requests for comment on the prisoner exchange and the delegation visiting Sanaa.

☆ Saudi officials arrive in Iran to discuss reopening diplomatic missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, April 8 (Reuters) - Saudi officials have arrived in Iran to discuss procedures for reopening Riyadh's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad after China brokered a deal to restore relations between the two regional powers, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Saturday. After years of hostility that fueled conflicts across the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to end their diplomatic rift and reopen their diplomatic missions in March. Chinese President Xi Jinping helped broker the surprise deal which left the United States on the sidelines. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite cleric. Reporting by Enas Alashray; writing by Maha El Dahan Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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