regional and international

Damascus, Aug. 10 (SANA)After two years of rapid security shifts that have redrawn the balance of power in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have moved beyond political coordination by signing the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement,” a trilateral framework for collective deterrence and integrated defense capabilities. The agreement, signed in Mecca on Aug. 7, comes as threats multiply across the region — from the expanding fronts of the Gaza war, to the 12-day war, to the US-Israe…

Riyadh, Aug. 10 (SANA)Saudi Foreign MinisterFaisal bin Farhanheld a phone call on Sunday with Kuwaiti Foreign MinisterJarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabahto discuss regional developments.Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the talks focused on efforts to reduce tensions in the region in a way that contributes to strengthening regional security and stability.The call comes amid intensified regional and international diplomatic efforts to contain tensions in the Middle East, including consultations a…

Abu Dhabi/Cairo, Aug. 9 (SANA)Arab foreign ministers held a series of phone calls focused on regional tensions and efforts to prevent further escalation, with officials from theUnited Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq stressing dialogue and diplomatic coordination. UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed regional developments with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, according to a statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry. Du…

Cairo, Aug. 9 (SANA)Egyptian Foreign MinisterBadr Abdelattyand his Turkish counterpart,Hakan Fidan, stressed during a telephone call on Sunday the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve de-escalation and reach lasting and comprehensive understandings that would promote regional security and stability. In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the two ministers discussed the latest regional developments and ongoing efforts to reduce escalation and ease tensions. They also exchan…

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Regional Developments in Phone Call with French President ••••• Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and France and ways to further develop them and strengthen joint cooperation across various fields during a phone call today, Saturday, with French President Emmanuel Macron. The call addressed a number of issues of mutual interest, foremost among them economic and investment …

Aden, Aug. 8 (SANA)Yemen has welcomed the Mecca Mutual Defense Pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, describing it as a strategic step and an important milestone in defense cooperation among the three countries. In a statement published Saturday on its official website, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared political will to confront challenges and threats to regional security and stability. The ministry highlighted the particular impo…

Baghdad, Aug. 8 (SANA)Iraqi Prime MinisterAli Faleh al-Zaidireiterated on Saturday thatIraqwould not allow its territory to be used to threaten the security of neighboring countries, stressing Baghdad’s commitment to maintaining balanced relations with regional states while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests. Al-Zaidi made the remarks during a telephone call with French PresidentEmmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed regional developments and efforts to reduce …

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Meets Head of the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency ••••• Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met today, Friday, with the Head of the General Intelligence Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, and his accompanying delegation. Mr. Al-Humaidan conveyed a message from the Saudi leadership renewing the invitation for the Prime Minister to visit the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The meeting also addressed ways to strengthen coordinatio…

Today, we visited Mecca in response to the kind invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. During my visit, we met with my dear brothers, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. On this occasion, we signed a Joint Defense Agreement as three countries. This agreement, based on collective deterrence, will contribute to the advancement of our security and defense cooperation, the deve…

Baghdad, Aug. 7 (SANA)Iraqi Foreign MinisterFuad Husseindiscussed regional and international developments, navigation security in theStrait of Hormuz, and bilateral relations with UK Minister of State for Middle East AffairsStephen Doughtyduring a phone call on Thursday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.According to a statement published on the ministry’s official website, the two sides discussed the economic repercussions ofregional tensionsand their impact on the global economy, inflation rates…

Riyadh, Aug. 7 (SANA)Saudi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sauddiscussed regional and international developments and efforts to address them during a phone call with French PresidentEmmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.The two sides reviewed the latest developments and issues of mutual concern, as well as efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region and ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation.They also discussed bilateral rel…

Mecca, Aug. 7 (SANA)Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed a mutual defense agreement in Mecca on Friday aimed at strengthening security cooperation among the three countries and enhancing collective deterrence.According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the agreement was signed during the Mecca Mutual Defense Summit and is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any attack.Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack ag…

Doha, Aug. 5 (SANA)Qatar Emir SheikhTamim bin Hamad Al Thaniand U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpdiscussed on Tuesday regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions betweenWashingtonandTehran, according to the Qatar News Agency.During a phone call, the two leaders discussed efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran and support a lasting diplomatic resolution to the crisis in the region.Sheikh Tamim stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and using diploma…

Ankara, Aug. 6 (SANA)SyriaandTürkiyeagreed on Thursday to establish a High-Level Coordination Council as the two neighboring countries seek to deepen political, economic and infrastructure cooperation. The agreement was reached during talks in Ankara between Syrian Foreign MinisterAsaad Hassan al-Shaibaniand his Turkish counterpartHakan Fidan, who discussed ways to strengthenbilateral relationsand reviewed a range of joint initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation. The two sides also discusse…

Washington, Aug. 6 (SANA)U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his British counterpart Ed Miliband discussed a range of regional and international issues during talks in Washington, stressing the importance ofEuropeassuming a greater role in ensuring its own security, while reaffirming their countries’ commitment to safeguarding navigation in theStrait of Hormuzand preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon. According to aU.S. State Departmentstatement carried by Reuters, t…

Today, His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call from His Excellency President Donald Trump, President of the friendly United States of America. During the call, the latest regional developments were reviewed, especially the efforts made to reduce the escalation between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to bring their views closer, in a way that enhances the chances of reaching a sustainable diplomatic settlement of the crisis. H…

Damascus, Aug 6. (SANA)PresidentAhmad al-Sharaareceived on Thursday UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell in Damascus. Talks during the meeting dealt with means of enhancing bilateral relations betweenSyria and the UK, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest. The meeting also reviewed regional and international developments, with both sides stressing the importance of continuing coordination in a manner that serves shared interests and contributes to regional stability. Foreig…

Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA)FollowingSyria’s political transformation,border securityhas emerged as one of the central themes in reshaping the regional security equation and dismantling the legacy of the deposed regime, which had fostered organized smuggling networks and cross-border crime. The impact of Syria’s change extends beyond its domestic sphere, directly influencing neighboring states. Restoring state authority over border control and security has become a key factor in boosting regional st…

Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA)Syrian Defense Minister Major GeneralMurhaf Abu Qasraheld a telephone call on Tuesday withQatar’s Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, during which they discussed issues of mutual interest.The call focused on the latest regional and international developments and ways to strengthen coordination in a manner that serves the shared interests of the two countries and supports security and stability.The discussion form…

Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA)SyriaandJapanheld their first round of bilateral political consultations in Damascus on Tuesday, discussing ways to expand diplomatic, economic and cultural cooperation, while exchanging views on regional developments. The Syrian delegation includedMohammad al-Jaffal, adviser to the foreign minister for African and Asian affairs; Nada al-Aswad, director of the Department of African, Asian and Oceanian Affairs; and Qutaiba Qadish, director of the Department of Internationa…

Amman, Aug. 4 (SANA)Jordanian Senate President Faisal al-Fayez said on Monday that relations betweenJordanandSyriaare at their strongest point in history, describing them as a strategic partnership built on shared security and economic interests. According to Jordan’s Petra News Agency, al-Fayez said Jordan has become one of Syria’s closest regional partners, citing the establishment of the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Coordination Council in 2025. The council has since held meetings in both Amman a…

Ankara, Aug. 4 (SANA)Türkiye has intensified its diplomatic outreach across the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan holding a series of phone calls with regional and international counterparts over the past four days as Ankara seeks to promote de-escalation and regional stability. According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on July 31 to discuss the latest regional developments and efforts to end ongoing conflicts. On Aug. 1, Fidan h…

Doha, Aug. 4 (SANA)Qatar reaffirmed its full support for efforts to reduce regional tensions and achieve peace and stability, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to resolving regional crises. According to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Qatari Foreign MinisterMohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, during a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, underscored the need to implement the memorandum of understanding between the United Stat…

Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA)Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met on Tuesday with Libyan Chargé d’Affaires Walid Hassan Ammar to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the two countries. The meeting focused on enhancing coordination across areas of mutual interest, while the two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.