Iran has no role in the Arab world other than to get out: Saudi FM

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir
Updated 27 September 2018
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Iran has no role in the Arab world other than to get out: Saudi FM

  • Al-Jubeir says Iran's model of ‘sectarianism and terrorism’ is doomed to failure
  • Qatar's leadership seem to be modern but it has a ‘dark side’ of supporting extremists and terrorists

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir on Thursday said his country and its allies are determined to push the “world's chief sponsor of terrorism” out of the Arab world if it does not move out on its own.

“Iran has no role in the Arab world other than to get out,” Al-Jubeir said in a forum of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, a think-tank, repeating previous statements by Saudi Arabia and its allies that Iran is trying to dominate the Mideast region.

He said Iran spent the last four decades trying to entrench itself in the Arab world through proxy militias such as the Hezbollah of Lebanon, but Saudi Arabia and its allies “will work on pushing them back and I have no doubt that in the end we will succeed.”

He pointed out that the Iranians “are losing in Yemen, their position is not what it was a few years ago in Iraq, and in Syria over the long run they will lose and in Lebanon Hezbollah will change.”

Al-Jubeir’s remarks comes a day after US President Donald Trump blasted Iran in his annual address to the UN General Assembly, accusing its leaders of corruption and spreading chaos throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Iran’s economy has been on a downward spiral after Trump got the US out of a 2015 deal in which Western nations would free frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Tehran’s freezing its nuclear weapons ambitions. Iran has been accused of exploiting the deal to develop missiles that it uses to threaten its neighbors.

Al-Jubeir said Iran is solely to blame for the morass that its economy is in.

On Wednesday, the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar on the unofficial market and the nation has seen growing protests amid a deterioration in the economic situation.

He said Iran’s model of “sectarianism and terrorism” is doomed to failure. “I hope that Iran can have a government that is responsible so that the Iranian people, who have a great history, can lead normal lives,” he said.

Qatar ‘dangerous behavior’

In the same forum, Al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies remain open to a dialogue with Qatar with a view to restoring relations, but Doha needs to change its “dangerous” behavior first.

“We have no hostility towards Qatar, but we vehemently oppose their behavior, which is very dangerous to us and our citizens and security,” he said. “The problem with the Qataris is that they are still in denial. We need to move them from denial to introspection so they can fix the problem.”

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing their erstwhile ally of supporting terrorist and extremist groups — a charge Qatar rejects.

Specifically, the quartet accused the Qatar government and wealthy individuals and groups of sponsoring radicals, inciting people, and becoming a base for the Muslim Brotherhood since the mid-90s.

Kuwait had tried to mediate, and the  Anti-Terror Quartet — or ATQ — as the four-nation group had become known, even slashed its original 13-point demand to only six, which included committing to six principles on combatting extremism and terrorism and negotiate a plan with specific measures to implement them.

Qatar rejected the demands, and opted to fight the sanctions imposed by the quartet by seeking help from Iran and Turkey.

“I hope the Qataris change, and if they don’t we are patient people, we will wait for 10, 15, 20, 50 years,” Al-Jubeir said during the forum.

“The Qataris use their media platforms to spread hate, send weapons to Al-Qaeda-affiliated militia in Libya. The Qatari Emir was conniving with Qaddafi on how to overthrow Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“People see a young country (Qatar), young leadership, they buy fancy buildings, they have a nice airline, and they think ‘wow, these guys are really modern,’ but we have to deal with the dark side,” he said.

Yemen’s Houthis losing control

Al-Jubeir also took the occasion to explain the Saudi-led Arab coalition's campaign in Yemen in support of the UN-recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi against the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

“There was no way we were going to allow a radical militia allied with Iran and Hezbollah, in possession of ballistic missiles and an air force to take over a country that is strategically important to the world and that is our neighbor. So we responded to reverse the coup that the Houthis staged,” he said.

“The Houthis have every right to be part of the Yemeni political system, but have no right to dominate,” he added.

He lamented the lack of world outrage over the atrocities being committed by Houthis, including its use of children as soldiers, and starving villagers by laying siege to their towns in an effort to blame the Coalition, and firing missiles to populated areas in both Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

“The Houthis have lobbed 197 ballistic missiles at our cities, and they have fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Yemeni cities, and I don't see any outrage,” he said. “They randomly plant mines all over the country and people lose life and limb and nobody says anything and we get blamed for it.”

On the other hand, whenever the Coalition is believed to have made a mistake in its operations, it has its own in-house body that investigates, and if non-combatants have been harmed, the probe body announces the result of the investigation and the Coalition pays compensation according to international humanitarian law.

While the Houthis are still fighting, he said they are losing and the area under their control is down to 20 percent.

Al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was hopeful that the Yemen conflict would finally be resolved politically, based on the GCC initiative, the outcome of the Yemeni dialogue and the UN security council resolution 2216.

Palestine

On the US decision to halt its contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia has added $50 million to its contribution to agency to reduce the gap from US cutbacks. Riyadh has also tripled its monthly support for the Palestinian Authority and have $150 million for the Islamic trust in Jerusalem.

“If we don't support UNWRA, the misery in the camps goes up, the potential to recruit extremists goes up and violence goes up. I hope that the US finds a way to reverse that decision or find other means to support institutions that provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in the refugee camps,” he said.

Founded in 1949, the UNRWA supports more than 5 million registered Palestinian refugees, providing them welfare and education.

Al-Jubeir further said the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem “was a mistake.”

“We believe it violates the principle of not taking unilateral actions that jeopardize the final status talks,” he said.

Ties with Iraq

In contrast with Iran and Qatar, Iraq had seen better ties with Saudi Arabia, with Al-Jubeir saying the relationship between the two countries in the last 18 months have “grown by leaps and bounds.”

“We are moving forward robustly in our relationship with Iraq,” he said, citing increased Saudi investments in Iraq, the opening up of the Iraq-Saudi the border crossing two decades after it was closed. “We are looking at more ways to improve the relationship with Iraq. We are committed to having the best of ties with Iraq.”

Saudi Arabia’s economy

On the domestic economy, Al-Jubeir Saudi Arabia is looking at a 2% growth this year and even better next year. “As the structural changes begin to kick in you would expect to see accelerated growth,” he told the forum.

He pointed to the measures taken to enhance investor confidence, including the upgrading of the Kingdom’s commercial laws and legal system to make it more transparent and efficient.

“We are trying to build a society that's based on innovations, technology, renewable energy because we think that’s where our strength is,” he said.


Saudi Arabia, UK set up sustainable infrastructure assembly to bolster trade

Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, UK set up sustainable infrastructure assembly to bolster trade

  • Partnership will support initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030
  • London ‘a natural partner in achieving our shared vision,’ Saudi investment minister says

LONDON: Saudi Arabia and the UK on Sunday unveiled a new strategic partnership aimed at deepening collaboration between British financial and professional services firms and the Kingdom’s sustainable infrastructure developers.

The deal was announced by the Saudi Ministry of Investment, UK Department for Business and Trade and City of London Corp.

Central to the agreement is the establishment of the UK-Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Assembly, a platform that will bring together companies, policymakers and industry experts from the two countries to shape the future of investment in the sector.

The assembly will initially focus on projects such as the new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co., led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Sustainable Sports City project, spearheaded by the Kingdom’s National Center for Privatization.

Set to launch next month in Riyadh, the assembly will also meet in London in June under the banner of the UK Government’s “Great Futures” campaign, which showcases cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, education and culture. A final meeting will take place during the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh in the fall.

Among the Saudi members of the assembly are Deputy Assistant for Service Sectors at the Ministry of Investment Fahad Al-Hashem, and Hatim Alghamdi, Hisham Sumayli and Faisal Abdeen from the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

Sultan Al-Khalil, general manager of alternative funding at the National Debt Management Center, and Salman Badr, vice president of infrastructure advisory at the National Center for Privatization, will also take part.

The British side includes UK Export Finance CEO Tim Reid and Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Middle East Arabian Peninsula Peter Ashby.

As Saudi Arabia pursues a $1 trillion infrastructure development pipeline as part of Vision 2030, the assembly is set to help strengthen business ties between the two countries.

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said: “Saudi Arabia is driving one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, with approximately $1 trillion committed to projects that are not only reshaping our cities but also setting new global benchmarks for sustainability.

“Through Vision 2030, we are integrating cutting-edge technologies, green financing and world-class expertise to ensure that our infrastructure delivers long-term economic, social and environmental value.

“The City of London’s leading global expertise and innovative approach to sustainable finance, infrastructure governance and public-private partnerships complement our own ambitions.

“Our long-standing partnership with the UK spans decades, making the City of London a natural partner in achieving our shared vision for a more sustainable and prosperous future,” he said.

UK Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson said the UK and Saudi Arabia shared a deep commitment to driving sustainable economic growth and attracting global investment into transformational infrastructure projects.

“These assemblies represent an opportunity to strengthen commercial ties between our two nations, ensuring that Saudi projects are well positioned to secure international capital and expertise through the UK.

“This landmark UK-Saudi collaboration exemplifies our ‘Great Futures’ campaign, fostering partnerships that will drive sustainable development and prosperity, with the UK as a trusted partner in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 journey.”

Lord Mayor of London Alastair King echoed the sentiment.

“This new partnership offers exciting opportunities for both countries,” he said.

“The UK’s expertise in sustainable finance is in demand across the globe. We are world leaders because of our reputation for innovation, access to capital and world-class clusters of expertise.

“This assembly will identify new growth opportunities for Saudi infrastructure and will make it easier for UK firms to engage with Saudi Arabia’s thriving market.”


Saudi Arabia welcomes Oman’s hosting of Iran-US talks, says dialogue is the way to go 

Updated 14 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Oman’s hosting of Iran-US talks, says dialogue is the way to go 

  • Kingdom says it prefers dialogue as a way to end all regional and international disputes
  • American and Iranian delegations met for the first time in Muscat, Oman, to lay down the format of their talks

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed Oman's hosting of the Iran-US talks on Tehran's nuclear program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said, adding that the Kingdom prefers dialogue as a way to end all regional and international disputes. 

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said Saudi Arabia hopes that the talks "will lead to supporting joint action to enhance security, stability and peace in the region and the world."

On April 12, American and Iranian negotiators met for the first time in Muscat, the Omani capital, as the long-term adversaries try to come up with a new nuclear deal in place of the failed 2015 accord.

The 2015 accord, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was a long-term deal that Iran agreed with world powers known as the P5+1 — composed of the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.

Under that agreement, Iran was to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspectors to visit its nuclear sites. In return, economic sanctions on Iran would be lifted by the world powers, notably the US.

Donald Trump, however, pulled the US out of the agreement in his first term of office in 2018 amid objections by other regional powers that the accord lacked the teeth to curtail Iran's nuclear activities and only empowered Tehran to continue interfering in the affairs of its neighbors.

In his second term as president, Trump invited Iran's leadership to the negotiating table to avoid military action.

In Saturday's initial meeting in Muscat, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi acted as intermediary, shuttling from one room to the other where the American and Iranian delegations were assigned, as the long-time adversaries tried to lay the groundwork for their high-stakes nuclear talks.

 

 

Albusaidi later told reporters that the talks took place in a “friendly atmosphere,” adding: “We will continue to work together.”

According to the Iranian foreign ministry, the negotiators also spoke directly for “a few minutes,” and that the talks were held “in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere.”

Steve Witkoff, a real estate magnate, headed the US team, while Iran's team was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key architect of the 2015 accord.

Just before the first meeting started, Trump told reporters: “I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser Ali Shamkhani said Iran was “seeking a real and fair agreement.”

The two sides have agreed to meet again.


Misk Foundation, London Business School sign strategic agreement

Updated 14 April 2025
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Misk Foundation, London Business School sign strategic agreement

  • The agreement aims to explore collaboration in areas such as leadership development, executive education, scientific research, and strategic communication

RIYADH: The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as Misk, and London Business School signed on Sunday a strategic agreement to strengthen leadership and advance executive education. 

The agreement aims to explore collaboration in areas such as leadership development, executive education, scientific research, and strategic communication, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to empower leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

It was signed by Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of the foundation, and Professor Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School, in the presence of Majid Al-Qasabi, Vice Chairman of Misk Foundation, and Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education.

The cooperation includes designing and delivering empowerment and leadership development programs for youth, and developing short executive courses and tailored workshops for Saudi leaders. 

It will study the potential establishment of a regional executive education hub in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.

Commenting on the partnership, Al-Badr said the agreement reflects Misk Foundation’s commitment to developing a generation of leaders capable of shaping a sustainable future and driving national transformation.

“Through the strategic collaboration, we aim to deliver effective educational and executive solutions, and to advance scientific research that support the development of qualified leadership capabilities, contributing to enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness regionally and globally,” he added.

This partnership with London Business School, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, falls within Misk Foundation’s broader efforts to provide innovative learning and training opportunities that contribute to building a thriving society led by youth. 


US energy secretary praises Saudi cooperation

Updated 13 April 2025
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US energy secretary praises Saudi cooperation

  • Chris Wright discussed renewable energy sources with Saudi officials

RIYADH: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership for fostering robust energy cooperation between the two countries.

Wright, who visited the Kingdom on Sunday, expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman for supporting energy partnership with the US.

During a media briefing at the Energy Ministry in Riyadh, Wright discussed his conversations with Saudi officials regarding energy investment, trade and security. He praised the Kingdom’s solar energy sector and innovative energy development approach.

He discussed renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen and solar power with Saudi officials, stressing the need for long-term investments to meet rising global demand, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Wright highlighted the importance of stable oil prices to encourage investments in vital minerals, and emphasized the need to promote mutual investment and consistent growth in energy supplies, the SPA added.

Regarding the tariffs introduced globally by the US, he said the focus was on fair trade and bringing jobs back to the country. Wright described them as strategic tariffs aimed at encouraging domestic investment.


Fashioning identity: Saudi designer champions tour guides as ambassadors

Updated 13 April 2025
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Fashioning identity: Saudi designer champions tour guides as ambassadors

  • Dallal Al-Juhani’s uniform concept weaves together tradition, technology
  • We should showcase Saudi heritage to the world through tourism and fashion, she says

JEDDAH: In Saudi Arabia, where each region’s distinct heritage shines through its landscape and traditions, tour guides serve as vital ambassadors — and one Saudi designer believes their attire is key to embodying the cultural treasures they represent.

Dallal Al-Juhani, a fashion design faculty member at Taibah University, has developed a visionary concept for tour guide uniforms in AlUla which blends heritage with modern style.

Dallal Al-Juhani’s uniform concept reflects the rich identity of AlUla through colors, patterns, materials, and techniques, all inspired by the region’s heritage. (Supplied)

Using technology to champion heritage, her project merges the cultural identity of AlUla with aesthetics and the functional needs of the job, highlighting Saudi identity in its finest form.

“Saudi heritage has its place and value,” she told Arab News. “We should be proud of it and showcase it to the world through the tourism and fashion sectors."

HIGHLIGHT

Dallal Al-Juhani, a fashion design faculty member at Taibah University, has developed a visionary concept for tour guide uniforms in AlUla which blends heritage with modern style.

Al-Juhani holds a bachelor’s degree in clothing and jewelry design from Taibah University, and boasts a master’s in fashion design from King Abdulaziz University.

Dallal Al-Juhani’s uniform concept reflects the rich identity of AlUla through colors, patterns, materials, and techniques, all inspired by the region’s heritage. (Supplied)

She added: “During my studies there was a significant focus on fashion that reflects heritage, as well as the role of modern technologies in the development of the fashion industry.”

Reflecting on the inspiration behind her vision for tour guide uniforms, she said: “During my visit to AlUla in 2021 I noticed that tour guides did not have a specific uniform to stand out to visitors.

Saudi heritage has its place and value. We should be proud of it and showcase it to the world through the tourism and fashion sectors.

Dallal Al-Juhani, Saudi designer and academic

“As a fashion designer I felt compelled to find a solution to this issue by creating designs suitable for this role.”

Al-Juhani’s uniform concept reflects the rich identity of AlUla through colors, patterns, materials, and techniques, all inspired by the region’s heritage.

Dallal Al-Juhani’s uniform concept reflects the rich identity of AlUla through colors, patterns, materials, and techniques, all inspired by the region’s heritage. (Supplied)

It serves as a visual narrative, representing the beauty of AlUla’s monuments while establishing a deep connection between the storyteller and the place itself.

She said: “Patterns were inspired from iconic locations such as Al-Hijr and Jabal Ikmah, incorporating Nabataean letters and prominent symbols such as the bull, lion, and hand.”

Dallal won the Gold Medal at the London International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations 2024, alongside special recognition from Croatia and Romania. (Supplied)

Functionality was a key consideration in the uniform’s design, and Al-Juhani added: “The uniform gives the tour guide a sense of belonging and comfort, leaving a positive impression on tourists, which elevates the level of professionalism in the tourism sector.”

As a young Saudi designer Al-Juhani’s message to her peers is to keep up with modern trends by utilizing new technologies in design and illustration. In fact, as part of her project, she harnessed artificial intelligence techniques to enhance her designs.

And to bring her vision to life she used AI-powered tools like Midjourney and Lexica to develop prototypes before transitioning to manual work.

She said: “I used natural leather and techniques such as burning and decoration that mimic the ancient Nabataean style. I also added traditional details using leather threads and blanket stitching to enhance the heritage touch.”

While Al-Juhani did face some challenges in sourcing high-quality materials, the input offered by tour guides made the process smoother.

She added: “I made sure to involve them in every stage to strengthen their connection to the uniform, making it a project they felt a part of rather than just a product.”

Her innovative approach has already earned her recognition, and Al-Juhani was awarded the gold medal at the London International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations in 2024, as well as receiving special recognition from Croatia and Romania at the same event.

“It was proof that heritage and monuments give design authenticity, uniqueness, and enhance its aesthetic and expressive value,” she said.