Saudi Arabia
Saudi defences down drones fired from Iraq
Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province.
UAE and Qatar mourn the death of Iranian President
1 min Mena Today
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, neighboring countries to Iran in the Gulf, expressed their condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter accident.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have had historically tense relations with Iran © Mena Today
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, neighboring countries to Iran in the Gulf, expressed their condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter accident.
Abu Dhabi, which has renewed ties with Tehran after years of strained relations, expressed solidarity with Iran during these difficult times. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed stated, "We stand with Iran in these challenging times." He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Iranian government and people, emphasizing the tragic nature of the accident.
"I offer my deepest condolences to the government and people of Iran following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their accompanying officials in a tragic accident," President Mohammed bin Zayed wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Similarly, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani described the news as "painful" and conveyed his "sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran" in a message also shared on X.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have had historically tense relations with Iran, often supporting opposing factions in regional conflicts. However, diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran were restored in March 2023 after a seven-year hiatus. Since then, Iran has shown increasing signs of rapprochement with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
In June, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman as part of a regional tour aimed at strengthening ties with Gulf nations. This tour highlighted Iran's efforts to solidify its relations within the region.
Related
Iran
Iran hangs two men over January protests
Iran on Tuesday executed two men for their role in nationwide protests in January, state media reported, among a series of death sentences that rights groups say have been handed out since the start of the war with the United States.
Oman
The logic behind Oman's Hormuz proposal
Oman has delivered a proposal to Iran envisaging regional management of the Strait of Hormuz and only voluntary fees for transit rather than Tehran's vision of maintaining control of the waterway and charging for its use.
Subscribe to our newsletter
