Saudi Arabia

OPEC+ approves small September quota hike to complete 2023 cut rollback

OPEC+ approved a 188,000 bpd output hike for September, completing its planned 2023 supply revival while keeping options open after Middle East tensions ease

Saudi crown prince urges restraint as Trump weighs fresh strikes on Iran

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, in a phone call with President Donald Trump raised concerns about the US potentially escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the leaders' discussion. The discussion on Saturday, which was first reported on by Axios, comes as Trump weighs whether to carry out new strikes on Iran. The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorised to comment publicly, are concerned that if the US targets Iran's energy infrastructure or carries out massive strikes on other key infrastructure, Tehran could respond by carrying out attacks on the kingdom's and other Gulf countries' energy infrastructure. The crown prince during Saturday's call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he's weighing to take against Iran, the person said. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Saturday's call. Saudi Arabia earlier thi

Iran fires missiles at US forces after Iraq strikes kill militia fighters

Iran launched a barrage of missiles at American forces in the Middle East early Wednesday as the US partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Tehran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters. Six Iranian advisers were also killed in the US-Saudi strike, two Iraqi militia officials told the Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. The flare-up on multiple fronts, after several days of relative calm, raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the US is further drawing down already diminished stockpiles of sophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases and allies. Meanwhile, a Fox News reporter said in an on-air segment that he spoke with President Donald Trump who, using a series of vulgarities, told hi

Saudi Arabia downs drones launched from Iraq as Houthis target oil tanker

Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that it shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second day, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have forced a Saudi oil tanker to turn around as part of their self-styled blockade of the kingdom. The attacks underscored lingering tensions despite a period of calm between the United States and Iran, neither of which has announced attacks for days following weeks of escalation over the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi Defence Ministry said in a statement that air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones that had attempted to target petroleum facilities in the nation's eastern region. It said the attacks were "once again launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-affiliated terrorist militias." Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate after the Saudis alleged a similar attack on Monday. The Iraqi military said in a statement that Iraq is committed to "preventing Iraqi territo

US, Saudi forces carry out strikes on Iran-backed militia sites in Iraq

American and Saudi forces struck sites used by Iran-backed militias in Iraq to carry out attacks in recent days, the US military said Tuesday. "US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours," US Central Command said in a statement, using an acronym for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. It said the Revolutionary Guard "and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response." Saudi Arabia said earlier Tuesday that it for a second day shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which had attempted to target petroleum facilities in the nation's eastern region. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate after the Saudis alleged a similar attack on Monday.

Houthis seek to mirror Iran's Hormuz strategy in Red Sea, says Yemeni FM

Yemen's foreign minister-designate says the Houthis aim to replicate Iran's Strait of Hormuz strategy by disrupting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, raising the risk of wider conflict in Red Sed

Iran war spreads to Red and Caspian Sea, Gulf quiet as US forgoes strikes

The US military said on Saturday that its naval blockade against Iran 'remains in full effect' but did not explain why it halted a streak of 13 nights of escalating strikes

Donald Trump pegs nuclear deal to Saudi Arabia joining Abraham Accords

Trump said that the Civil Nuclear Deal pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE already have, will be approved, but is subject to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords

Why the Houthis’ Saudi blockade could shake oil markets | Bab el-Mandeb | US-Iran war | Crude oil

A new crisis is unfolding in West Asia. Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, putting the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the spotlight. Why is this narrow

Trump approves nuclear agreement that may allow Saudi to enrich uranium

Trump approves nuclear agreement that may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, two AP sources say. President Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people, who were not authorised to comment publicly about the yet to be formally announced decision, said the agreement is expected to be announced publicly as early as Wednesday. The deal is expected to last 30 years and is also expected to involve US firms in developing the programme. The deal could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint US-Saudi study. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision, which was first reported on by the Wall Street Journal.

Why US strikes on southern Iran are putting the Gulf's sea lanes on edge

Fighting is spreading across West Asia as the US intensifies strikes on southern Iran, Tehran retaliates across the Gulf, and key energy and shipping routes come under growing threat

US approves Saudi nuclear deal: What it allows and why it matters

The proposed agreement, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, is expected to run for 30 years and place American companies at the centre of Saudi's civil nuclear infrastructure programme.

Houthi threats force Saudi crude tankers to reverse course in Red Sea

The Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, opening a potential new front in the war and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf

Yemen's Houthis announce Saudi naval blockade: What it means for oil trade

The Houthis have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that could affect oil exports, shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and global energy markets

Houthis impose Saudi naval blockade, opening new front in US-Iran war

The Iran-aligned Houthis said the blockade was in retaliation for what they called a Saudi siege of Yemen, raising concerns over Red Sea shipping and oil supplies

Houthis strike Saudi's Abha airport with missiles in sharp escalation

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they have launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport in response to airstrikes they blamed on Riyadh that struck Sanaa International Airport earlier. No casualties were reported, but the attacks on Monday marked an escalation not seen since a Saudi-led coalition struck Houthi-controlled areas several years ago. Saudi Arabian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the airstrikes in Yemen. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, in a video statement on Telegram, warned airlines against flying through Saudi airspace, saying these warnings should be taken "seriously until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted". The internationally recognised government in Yemen said earlier that the strikes that hit Sanaa International Airport were meant to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. The Houthis vowed to retaliate for the strike, which marked the first major ...

Saudi-based Riyadh Air to launch daily Mumbai-Riyadh flights from Aug 4

Saudi Arabia-based Riyadh Air on Monday announced its entry into India with the launch of daily direct flight between Riyadh and Mumbai, starting August 4. The premium carrier, backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced that bookings for the daily flight will open from July 6. The new daily air service between Mumbai and Riyadh will be operated by a Boeing B787-9 aircraft, offering a four-class configuration business elite, business, premium economy and economy. The latest route is a key addition to Riyadh Air's growing network, which now spans nine destinations with more set to be announced in the coming days and weeks, the airline said, adding that it also strengthens its mission to connect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with major global and regional hubs. "With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, we are delighted to offer travellers a new premium choice and enhanced global connectivity from Mumba

How Iran war ignited a clash between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed President Trump earlier to cripple Iran. But as Iran asserted its power, the prince urged a cease-fire, and is now pursuing his security priorities

India, Saudi Arabia sign pact to deepen water management cooperation

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation on water resource management, according to an official statement on Monday. The agreement was signed at the inaugural edition of Saudi Arabia's national water conference, Saudi Water Week, being hosted in Jeddah. "A significant step in advancing the IndiaSaudi Arabia strategic partnership," said the Indian embassy in Riyadh on Monday. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian ambassador Suhel Khan and Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, minister of environment, water and agriculture in Saudi Arabia. Consul General of India Fahad Suri was also present during the signing. "The MoU aims to foster collaboration, strengthen capacity building, and facilitate the exchange of best practices in water resources planning, sustainable water management, irrigation systems, and other related areas," the Indian mission said.

Saudi Aramco helicopter crash leaves 14 dead; investigation under way

Aramco had resumed crude oil loadings on Friday at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf after they were halted for nearly four months