Saudi Arabia’s high-ranking official has denied reports that the kingdom has pressured Washington to launch a military strike against Iran. The official stated that Saudi Arabia remains committed to peaceful efforts to resolve the tensions in the region, which are being pursued through diplomatic channels and dialogue.
The statement, published in the Saudi-owned Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, was made in response to recent reports suggesting that Riyadh had put pressure on Washington to take military action against Iran. The official emphasized that Saudi Arabia has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has always respected the sovereignty of Iran.
The official also confirmed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had held a phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, during which the prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to respecting Iran’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has announced that he has declassified documents related to the conflict with Iran, calling them “exculpatory.” The documents are said to be linked to a group of foreign nationals accused of involvement in an armed group in Myanmar’s Kokang region.
In other news, a 32-year-old programmer in China has gone missing due to excessive workload pressure. The incident has sparked concerns about the effects of technological singularity on human society.
In a related development, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Iran has warned that some forces are trying to ignite the region and destroy its resources. The ambassador’s statement comes as Iran has arrested four foreign nationals on charges of involvement in recent unrest.
In other regional news, Israel has announced that it will reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Friday, but only for pedestrians and under limited and experimental conditions. The move aims to allow severely ill and wounded Palestinians to receive medical treatment in Egypt.
A new law in Afghanistan has put women and refugees at greater risk, according to a US magazine. In a shocking incident, a 9-year-old girl in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh died just a few weeks after her marriage.
In a related development, Pakistan’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) has hinted that he may be transferred to the federal government. The IGP has been under pressure to take action against smugglers in the province of Balochistan.
In a separate development, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services has apologized to a senator from the opposition party in the country’s Senate. The apology came after a heated exchange between the two lawmakers.
In other news, US President Donald Trump has announced that he has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone. The call was reportedly made after Trump tweeted about a new development in the conflict with Iran.
In a related development, Indian film director Shazia Ahsan has deleted her Instagram account after she was criticized for her role in a film that was deemed to be obscene. The film, Dharen, was directed by Ahsan.
In a separate development, a parliamentary committee in Pakistan has grilled the country’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on its performance in the import of goods from the US. The committee has raised tough questions on the FBR’s handling of trade agreements with the US.
