RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday a visit by Israel&#39;s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir to the Al-Aqsa compound, a disputed area in occupied east Jerusalem home to Islam&#39;s third-holiest site that is also Judaism&#39;s holiest place. Riyadh voiced its &quot;condemnation of the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli officials and settlers under the protection of the occupation forces, reiterating its strongest condemnation of the continued attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque,&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa compound, calling it a provocative “storming” under military protection and denouncing repeated Israeli violations against the sanctity of Islam’s third-holiest site.

Saudi Arabia condemns far-right Israeli minister's 'storming' of Al-Aqsa compound

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday, leading a high-level Saudi business delegation to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the visit underscores the close and longstanding relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reflects their shared commitment to expanding economic and investment partnerships under the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council framework.&nbsp;During the visit, Prince Mansour and his delegation will meet with Pakistani leadership, senior government officials, and representatives of major business groups and chambers of commerce.&nbsp;Discussions are expected to focus on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and joint ventures in priority sectors aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan&rsquo;s economic growth agenda.&nbsp;The Foreign Office said the visit aims to deepen collaboration in key areas including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, information technology, and services, paving the way for sustainable economic cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs

Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud arrived in Islamabad leading a Saudi business delegation to discuss trade, investment, and joint ventures, aiming to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi economic cooperation under Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s growth agenda.

Prince Mansour leads Saudi delegation to Pakistan for economic cooperation

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Researchers have uncovered life-size rock carvings of camels, gazelles, and other animals in the Saudi Arabian desert, dating back around 12,000 years. Many carvings measure over 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and were made using a wedge-shaped rock to create sharp lines.&nbsp;Some were etched on narrow ledges, preventing artists from stepping back to view their work. Maria Guagnin, an archaeologist at Germany&rsquo;s Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology involved in the discovery, said creating such detailed engravings with just a rock required significant skill.&nbsp;The carvings and tools found at the site indicate human presence in the area about 2,000 years earlier than previously believed. It remains unclear how people survived in the arid conditions, whether relying on shallow lakes that formed seasonally or water collected in deep crevices.&nbsp;Guagnin noted that rock art has been made in Saudi Arabia for thousands of years, but dating older engravings is difficult due to the lack of writing and scarce organic remains like charcoal for analysis. Michael Harrower, an archaeologist at Johns Hopkins University not involved in the research, said little is known about art in the Middle East from this ancient period. Scientists were able to date the carvings by finding a rock pick buried beneath them, as reported in the journal Nature Communications. Previously, it was uncertain if people lived in the desert at that time because the environment was dry and water scarce, leading to the assumption that humans settled there later when the landscape was greener.&nbsp;One carving showed an auroch, a wild cattle ancestor extinct today that did not inhabit deserts, prompting Guagnin to suggest the artists might have encountered the animal elsewhere during dry seasons. She said the evidence points to well-established communities with strong knowledge of the landscape.&nbsp;

This image provided by Sahout Rock Art and Archaeology Project shows experts excavating the ground underneath an animal rock carving, in a desert in northern Saudi Arabia in 2023. (AP)

Asia

Researchers discovered 12,000-year-old life-size animal rock carvings in Saudi Arabia, revealing skilled artistry and suggesting human presence in the desert 2,000 years earlier than thought.

12,000-year-old giant animal carvings discovered in Saudi desert

DUBAI: Dar Global, a London-listed luxury real estate developer, said on Monday that it plans to launch a Trump Plaza in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah in the second collaboration with the Trump Organization, following the success of Trump Tower Jeddah. The announcement by the company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, said the $1 billion landmark development is to rise along King Abdulaziz Road in the heart of the city. Dar Global said the project will have a Central Park-inspired green spine as an anchor, &ldquo;bringing Manhattan-style vibrancy&rdquo; to Jeddah. It is the second collaboration in the coastal Saudi city with The Trump Organization and Dar Global said Trump Plaza Jeddah will represent the second Trump-branded development in Saudi Arabia, following the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah in December last year. Trump&rsquo;s company struck many real estate licensing deals overseas before he entered the White House in 2017, including for hotels and residential towers in Canada, Dubai, Mexico, India and Turkey. Trump&rsquo;s close ties to Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s crown prince and day-to-day ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, drew heavy criticism after the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist for the Washington Post who had written critically about the monarchy. Dar Global is the international arm of Dar Al Arkan, a large Saudi developer. It says it has $7.5 billion worth of projects under development in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Dar Global said Trump Plaza Jeddah will transform the city&#39;s skyline into a world-class community that will include premium residences, serviced apartments, Grade-A office space, and exclusive townhouses. Designed to redefine urban living in Saudi Arabia, the development will integrate living, working, and leisure into one seamless destination, the statement said. &ldquo;This project embodies our vision of excellence by blending world-class hospitality, modern living, and dynamic business environments,&rdquo; Dar Global&#39;s statement quoted Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, as saying. &ldquo;Together with Dar Global, we are creating a destination that will set a new benchmark for prestige and innovation in the kingdom,&rdquo; he said.

Americas

Dar Global announced plans for Trump Plaza Jeddah, a $1 billion luxury development along King Abdulaziz Road. The project, the second Trump-branded venture in the city, will feature residences, offices, and Manhattan-inspired urban vibrancy.

Dar Global to launch a $1 billion Trump Plaza in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Arab and Muslim countries made clear to US President Donald Trump the dangers of Israeli annexation of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia&#39;s foreign minister said on Thursday, Reuters reported. &quot;Some countries made very clear to the president the danger of annexation of any type in the West Bank and the risk that poses not just to the potential of peace in Gaza, but also to any sustainable peace at all. And I feel confident that President Trump understood the position of the Arab and Muslim countries,&quot; Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told reporters at the United Nations. Trump&rsquo;s assuranceAccording to NBC News, President Donald Trump has assured Arab leaders that he will not allow Israel to annex the already occupied West Bank, sources told NBC News, amid fears of retaliation from the US ally after a host of countries moved to recognize Palestinian statehood. Trump made the comments Tuesday, according to two sources who were in the room, as he presented his 21-point plan for peace in the Middle East to Arab leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.&nbsp; The comments were first reported by Politico.&nbsp;

Arab and Muslim nations warned Trump about the dangers of Israeli West Bank annexation, citing risks to peace in Gaza and overall stability. Trump assured leaders he would prevent such annexation during the UN General Assembly.

Muslim countries warned Trump of Israeli West Bank annexation dangers, Saudi says

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, and head of the Council of Senior Scholars, passed away at the age of 82 on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Royal Diwan announced that funeral prayers will be held today after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. A prominent member of the Al Ash-Sheikh family, Sheikh Abdul Aziz had served as the Kingdom&rsquo;s Grand Mufti since 1999, guiding religious discourse and offering jurisprudential leadership for over two decades. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences on his official X account, describing the Grand Mufti as a profound Islamic scholar who served the Muslim world with distinction. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also ordered absentee funeral prayers to be offered after Asr in all mosques across the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Gazette.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif mourned the Grand Mufti, calling him a distinguished Islamic scholar who served the Muslim world with dedication and wisdom.

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz dies at 82

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DUBAI: Pakistan&rsquo;s defense minister said his nation&rsquo;s nuclear program &ldquo;will be made available&rdquo; to Saudi Arabia if needed under the countries&rsquo; new defense pact, marking the first specific acknowledgment that Islamabad had put the kingdom under its nuclear umbrella. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif&rsquo;s comments late Thursday night underlined the importance of the pact struck this week between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which have had military ties for decades. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The move is seen by analysts as a signal to Israel, long believed to be the Middle East&rsquo;s only nuclear-armed nation.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This comes after Israel&rsquo;s attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar last week killed six people and sparked new concerns among Gulf Arab nations about their safety amid the Israel-Hamas war that devastated the Gaza Strip and set the region on edge. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking to Geo TV in an interview, Asif made the comments while answering a question on whether &ldquo;the deterrence that Pakistan gets from nuclear weapons&rdquo; will be made available to Saudi Arabia. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&ldquo;Let me make one point clear about Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear capability: that capability was established long ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield,&quot; Asif said. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&ldquo;What we have, and the capabilities we possess, will be made available to (Saudi Arabia) according to this agreement,&rdquo; he added. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The two countries signed a defense deal Wednesday declaring that an attack on one nation would be an attack on both. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neither country has responded to questions about the pact and what it meant in regards to possibly accessing Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Retired Pakistani Brig. Gen. Feroz Hassan Khan has said Saudi Arabia provided &ldquo;generous financial support to Pakistan that enabled the nuclear program to continue, especially when the country was under sanctions.&rdquo; Pakistan faced US sanctions for years over its pursuit of the bomb, and saw new ones imposed over its ballistic missile work at the end of the Biden administration. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pakistan developed its nuclear weapons program&nbsp;to counter India&rsquo;s atomic bombs<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The two neighbors have fought multiple wars against each other, and again came close to open warfare after&nbsp;an attack on tourists in April<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India is believed to have an estimated 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has 170, according to the US-published Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

Security

Pakistani Defense Minister Asif signals nuclear cooperation under newly signed defense agreement

Pakistan willing to extend nuclear program to Saudi Arabia under defense pact

<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> </div></div>ISLAMABAD: In a landmark development during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s state visit to Riyadh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a &ldquo;Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement&rdquo; on Wednesday, the statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office said, declaring that any act of aggression against either country would be considered an attack on both.&nbsp; &nbsp;PM Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a historic agreement at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The agreement, anchored in decades of brotherly relations and shared security interests, aims to bolster joint defense mechanisms and create a united front against external aggression.&nbsp;&ldquo;Any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,&rdquo; the agreement declares.&nbsp;The announcement came during Sharif&rsquo;s visit to the Kingdom, where he was received with full state honors, including a 21-gun salute, an F-15 fighter jet escort, and a ceremonial welcome in the Saudi capital.<div class="fr-embed" style="line-height: 2;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nqvlwE2tfU8?si=BGeNa_wcGUFmu6LL" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>&nbsp;During bilateral talks, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing defense cooperation, securing regional peace, and maintaining strategic coordination amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In a post on X, the Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were standing &quot;side by side against the aggressor. Always and forever.&quot;&nbsp; This visit follows a recent emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, where PM Sharif and the Saudi crown prince met to discuss Israel&rsquo;s expanding military operations, including recent attacks on Iran and Qatar. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for a stable Islamic world and a just resolution to ongoing conflicts.&nbsp;Since taking office, Sharif has visited Saudi Arabia multiple times, reflecting the deepening economic, political, and military partnership between the two countries. Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed MoUs worth $2.8 billion aimed at boosting private-sector collaboration.&nbsp;At the conclusion of the visit, PM Sharif thanked the Saudi leadership for their warm hospitality and reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s unwavering commitment to its &ldquo;most trusted brotherly nation.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1968593885619188071&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F335%2F&sessionId=1af93c8dd39914b28d859052841b717f532bcba5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 923px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="isPasted">Later in the day on Thursday, according to a post on government of Pakistan&#39;s X account, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation was escorted by Riyadh&#39;s deputy governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Aziz to the airport.&nbsp; <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The premier and his delegation bid farewell to the Saudi delegation for a successful visit and departed for London from Riyadh.

Saudi defense minister says Saudi Arabia, Pakistan are standing "side by side against the aggressor. Always and forever." 

​



Attack on one is attack on both: Pakistan, Saudi sign joint defense pact

Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: In a speech delivered on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Israel&#39;s adversaries across the globe, declaring that &ldquo;no place is safe&rdquo; for those who harbor or support the Palestinian group Hamas.&nbsp; The remarks followed Israeli airstrikes in Qatar, an unprecedented military action against a U.S. ally, which killed six people, including a Qatari security officer, and targeted senior Hamas leaders. The strike, carried out in Doha on Tuesday, drew swift international condemnation and escalated fears of a broader regional conflict. Netanyahu defended the move as a &ldquo;lawful act of self-defense,&rdquo; comparing Hamas&rsquo; October 7, 2023 attack on Israel to the 9/11 attacks on the United States. &ldquo;Just as the U.S. hunted down Al-Qaeda after 9/11, Israel will pursue those responsible for October 7, no matter where they hide,&rdquo; Netanyahu said. &ldquo;Expel them or bring them to justice. Otherwise, we will do it ourselves.&rdquo; He singled out Qatar as a &ldquo;safe haven&rdquo; for Hamas leadership, accusing the Gulf state of offering &ldquo;luxurious villas and full protection&rdquo; to individuals Israel considers terrorists. &ldquo;This is not harboring diplomacy; this is harboring terror,&rdquo; Netanyahu added. The remarks and the strike mark a dramatic expansion of Israel&rsquo;s doctrine of extraterritorial military operations, sending a message that Israel will act unilaterally, even in allied nations, if it believes its security is threatened. Saudi Arabia condemns &ldquo;brutal aggression&rdquo;The Israeli attack on Doha sparked a sharp rebuke from Saudi Arabia. In an annual address to the Shura Council delivered on behalf of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned what he described as Israel&rsquo;s &quot;brutal aggression&quot; against Qatar and the broader Palestinian population. &ldquo;We will stand with Qatar without limit,&rdquo; the crown prince said. &ldquo;Arab, Islamic, and international action is urgently needed to confront such aggression. These actions not only threaten Qatar but endanger the entire region&rsquo;s stability.&rdquo; He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, calling Israel&rsquo;s recent actions &ldquo;flagrant violations of international law.&rdquo; Pakistan seeks emergency UN actionPakistan joined the chorus of international concern, labeling Israel&rsquo;s strike in Qatar a &ldquo;dangerous escalation.&rdquo; Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday that Islamabad has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), along with Algeria and Somalia, to address Israel&rsquo;s &ldquo;brazen violation&rdquo; of international norms. &ldquo;The attack is an open challenge to international peace and security,&rdquo; Dar said on X. &ldquo;Israel has shown it is willing to attack any state it deems supportive of Palestinian resistance, even at the risk of global conflict.&rdquo; Dar revealed that Pakistan, in coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has also called for an urgent session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to hold Israel accountable for its strikes on Doha. Pakistan praised Qatar&rsquo;s decision to host an Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on September 15, offering to co-sponsor the gathering to forge a united response.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, describing it as a &ldquo;barbaric violation of every legal and moral boundary.&rdquo; Global tensions rise amid Gaza onslaughtThe timing of Netanyahu&rsquo;s threat, on the anniversary of 9/11, has raised alarms across the diplomatic world, with many interpreting the rhetoric as a direct challenge to the international system. Critics warn that Israel&rsquo;s expanding military actions risk triggering a wider regional war. The airstrike in Qatar came amid ongoing Israeli military aggression in Gaza, where over 64,600 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, and ceasefire negotiations have stalled. Qatari officials condemned Tuesday&rsquo;s airstrike as a &ldquo;criminal attack&rdquo; and a &ldquo;flagrant violation&rdquo; of sovereignty and international law. A government spokesperson said the strike endangered the safety of both Qatari citizens and the thousands of foreign nationals residing in the capital. Despite global outrage, Netanyahu doubled down, stating that Israel would not apologize for defending itself. &ldquo;We are not seeking war with the world,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but we will not be constrained by borders when our citizens are under threat.&rdquo; As world leaders prepare for the upcoming Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, the question now is whether Israel&rsquo;s unprecedented action will force a diplomatic reckoning, or ignite a new front in an already volatile region.

Israeli strikes in Doha draws global outrage; Pakistan urges UN action, calling it a threat to regional peace.

On 9/11 Anniversary: Israel threatens to strike 'foes' anywhere after Qatar attack

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Global oil prices fell to a two-week low on Thursday after an unexpected build in U.S. crude inventories and growing speculation that OPEC+ may raise output in their meeting on Sunday.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Eight core members, often referred to as the &lsquo;Voluntary Eight&rsquo; (V8), are now weighing an output increase starting in October.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The group includes Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">A final decision is expected at the OPEC+ meeting on Sunday.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">This comes after their earlier cut production by 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), with the United Arab Emirates reducing a further 300,000 bpd to stabilize the market.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) crude oil stockpiles rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, which was unprecedented for analysts who were expecting a 2.0 million barrel draw.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The American Petroleum Institute (API) also reported an increase but only by 0.6 million barrels.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Brent crude for October delivery closed at $68.12 a barrel on Friday, down 50 cents or 0.73%. The November contract, which is now the main one traders follow, slipped 53 cents or 0.78% to end the day at $67.45, as reported by Reuters.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Eight core members are now considering an output increase in October, Reuters reported, with a final decision expected at the alliance&rsquo;s Sunday meeting.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Such a move would represent a shift from their strategy adopted in April.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Analysts say the decision to increase quotas was aimed at regaining market share, following diplomatic pressure from United States President Donald Trump to reduce energy prices.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Back in January, Trump pushed for oil price reductions during the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Past Comments&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">U.S. President Donald Trump called on Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil prices during the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Speaking to global leaders and business executives, Trump said he would formally request the oil-producing alliance to take action on energy costs.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">&quot;I&#39;m also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil,&quot; Trump announced during the session. He added, &quot;You&#39;ve got to bring down the oil price, you&#39;ve got to end that war. They should have done it long ago; they&#39;re very responsible actually, to a certain extent, for what&#39;s taken place.&quot;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Trump&rsquo;s comments come amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing efforts by the United States to curb Russian oil exports.&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">His administration has recently imposed tariffs on countries like India for purchasing Russian crude and urged European allies to reduce energy ties with Moscow.

OPEC+ may raise output in October, with Saudi Arabia, Russia and others weighing a shift from earlier cuts; oil fell as U.S. inventories rose ahead of Sunday's meeting.


Articles tagged with "Saudi Arabia"