DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrived in Washington on Tuesday morning to start his first official visit to the country as heir to the throne, Saudi state-news channel Al-Ekhbariya reported.
The Crown Prince was received by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman and the US State Department's Ambassador to the US, Sean Oler, as well as several other high-level delegates.
The trip follows visits to both Egypt and the UK earlier this month, which led to a string of political and economic agreements signed between the kingdom and two of its key allies.
But the visit to the US aims to build on what is possibly Saudi Arabia’s most important relationship, one which has been strengthened with the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House.
The Royal Court said the crown prince had left Saudi Arabia and that during the visit he will meet Trump and a number of officials “to discuss bilateral relations and issues of common interest,” Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeing with the US president will take place on Tuesday for talks, the White House, said.
Christopher Henzel, the Charge d’Affaires at the US embassy in Riyadh said he was confident Trump and the crown prince would “enjoy open and candid discussions on a variety of issues.”
High on the agenda is Iran, and how to rein in its influence in the Middle East - something both men believe is one of the biggest threats to the region.
Trump has threatened to scrap the 2015 deal between Iran and international powers intended to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
“The United States is focused on neutralizing Iran’s destabilizing influence and constraining its aggression,” Henzel added, in an opinion article in Monday’s Arab news.
The Crown Prince warned in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes program aired on Sunday that if Iran was able to develop a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would “follow suit”.
Norah O’Donnell, who conducted the interview, the first by the crown prince with an American broadcaster, told Arab News that no subjects were off topic - perhaps a precursor to the frank conversations that will take place between the Saudi delegation and US leaders and business people in the coming days.
“It seemed to me that there was a desire to show the American public what he believes, to show that Saudi Arabia is changing. The crown prince wants the US audience to understand him,” O’Donnell said.
The crown prince’s sweeping social and economic reform program has been met with a groundswell of optimism in Washington. Many in the foreign policy establishment are keen to find out more about the heir to the throne and details about his domestic and foreign agenda.
“Mohammad bin Salman has started a hugely positive cultural reform program in Saudi Arabia, particularly the theological struggle to return the Kingdom to its roots in moderate Islam,” Jim Smith, who served as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia between 2009 and 2013, told Arab News.
“Winning that war of ideas, and succeeding in the other major policy challenges, depends not only on the crown prince’s leadership but also on how good the team that he has assembled around him is, and how strong the institutions they build together are.”
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince arrives in Washington on official visit
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince arrives in Washington on official visit
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Saudi Arabia takes leading role in Helsinki ICRC donor summit
- The Kingdom’s delegation took part in various discussions, led by its deputy ambassador to Finland, Faisal Al-Shehri
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross donor support group during a high-level summit in Helsinki, while simultaneously taking charge of a global peace-building initiative.
The Kingdom’s delegation took part in various discussions, led by its deputy ambassador to Finland, Faisal Al-Shehri, and Geneva-based humanitarian affairs chief at Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Shatha Al-Ahmadi.
ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric highlighted Saudi Arabia’s status within the humanitarian community, describing the Kingdom as “not only a donor state, but a trusted and vital political partner for the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
Spoljaric specifically commended Saudi Arabia’s significant contributions to the global initiative designed to strengthen political commitment to international humanitarian law, positioning the Kingdom as a key driver of humanitarian policy development.
The Saudi delegation expressed appreciation to both the ICRC and Finnish government for organizing the summit, saying the Kingdom’s membership reflected its commitment to humanitarian work: “Our participation reflects an unwavering dedication to humanitarian action, rooted in our firm belief in the international community’s collective duty to assist conflict victims and deliver humanitarian aid.”
The delegation emphasized its full recognition of the ICRC’s unique mandate and exceptional position among humanitarian organizations, reaffirming Saudi support for maintaining its independence and neutrality.
The Kingdom has assumed leadership of the global initiative’s third operational track, which addresses the intersection of international humanitarian law and peace-building efforts.
Saudi delegates stressed the need for peaceful conflict resolution, political dialogue enhancement and diplomatic engagement between nations to foster mutual respect and create pathways toward lasting reconciliation and sustainable peace building.
The summit concluded with a ceremonial leadership transfer from Finland to the UK within the donor group structure.
Saudi representatives congratulated their British counterparts, expressing their enthusiasm for enhanced collaboration with the incoming leadership and all international partners to advance multilateral humanitarian system development.
Saudi FM holds calls with Kuwaiti, Palestinian and Norwegian counterparts on regional tensions
- Calls came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday held a series of phone calls with regional and international counterparts to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, the two sides reviewed the recent Israeli strike on Iran, its regional repercussions, and stressed the importance of de-escalation and safeguarding regional security, SPA added.
Prince Faisal also spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa, with discussions also focused on the latest developments in the region and their wider implications.
In a separate call, the Saudi minister discussed regional and international issues of common interest with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Saudi airports issue travel alert after airspace closures amid Israel-Iran tension
- Major airports authorities in the Kingdom have advised those traveling to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or flight changes
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday issued a travel alert for citizens and residents after airspace closures following the Israeli attacks on Iran ramping up tensions between the regional rivals.
Increased tensions in the region could pose security risks and several countries in the Middle East closed their airspace, resulting in travel disruptions, including flight cancellations.
Major airports authorities in the Kingdom have advised those traveling to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or flight changes.
In advisories on social media, King Khalid International Airport Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport, Dammam and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, said: “In the interest of your safety and comfort and due to the current developments in some countries in the region, travelers heading to destinations affected by airspace closures are kindly advised to contact their respective airlines directly before proceeding to the airport.
“This is to confirm the latest updates on their flights and to avoid any unexpected delays or changes. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we are always pleased to serve you.”
After Israel attacked Iran early on Friday, airlines diverted flights affected by airspace closures.
Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
Joanne Serrieh, a journalist working with Alarabiya, on Friday afternoon posted on X: “Currently on Emirates flight EK216 from LAX to DXB. We’re being diverted to avoid closed Iranian airspace. We’ll be landing in Jeddah to refuel then will hopefully be able to continue to Dubai.”
Shamim Akhter, an Indian expat who worked in Riyadh for decades and is flying back home tonight on final exit, told Arab News: “After learning about airspace closure and flight diversion from Arab News, I contacted my airline, so far, the flight is expected to depart as scheduled. There is no change in timing, so I will proceed on time.
“If there is a change, I will be informed by the airline,” he said, adding: “The heightened tension following the Israeli attack on Iran has created unnecessary chaos. I hope and pray things return to normal soon.”
Due to the heightened tension Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, state media reported. Jordan also closed its airspace to all flights.
Israel has suspended flights to and from Israel, its flag carrier El Al Airlines said. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice.
Conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and three endured near misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions.
Saudi and UK foreign ministers discuss regional developments
LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met in London with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday to discuss ties and regional developments, the foreign ministry announced.
The meeting touched on areas of joint cooperation and ongoing efforts to address regional challenges, the ministry added.
Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, was also present.
The talks come ahead of next week’s Saudi-French conference on Palestine in New York, where international officials will seek to revive momentum for a two-state solution and outline steps toward Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian child arrives in Saudi Arabia for treatment under King Salman’s directives
RIYADH: Palestinian Mohammed Khaled Hijazi, 7, arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday with his parents to receive medical care and was immediately transferred to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh.
The supervisor general at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the humanitarian initiative to treat the Palestinian boy in the Kingdom.
Al-Rabeeah said that Hijazi lost his right eye while his left eye was severely damaged by an explosion while he was playing with friends near their house, which was completely destroyed, in the Jabalia camp, north of Gaza, last month.
The supervisor general prayed for the boy’s speedy recovery and for the Palestinian people to be relieved of their suffering.
He clarified that this initiative is a continuation of the relief and humanitarian efforts provided by the Kingdom to the Palestinian people in times of crisis and adversity, particularly the most vulnerable categories, such as children, who innocently pay the price of conflicts.
Al-Rabeeah also saidthat the initiative is part of the humanitarian approach adopted by the Kingdom toward needy peoples through KSrelief, which does not discriminate based on gender, race, or religion, and is fundamentally rooted in noble human principles of compassion and human solidarity.
The Palestinian boy’s parents expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom for treating their son, affirming that this brotherly gesture is not unusual from the Kingdom’s leadership, which has always been known for its honorable stance in support of the Palestinian people.
