Saudi Arabia has called on the United States and Iran to reduce tensions following reciprocal attacks between Tehran and Washington in the Strait of Hormuz. The appeal was made by Raed Krimli, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, who posted on social media platform X on Friday, expressing support for efforts aimed at dialogue and de-escalation.

Krimli stated that Saudi Arabia is concerned about the ongoing military tensions in the region and emphasized the need to lower hostilities. The call came amid reports that the United Arab Emirates was intercepting missiles launched from Iran, while Iranian media partly blamed Abu Dhabi for the escalation. During the conflict, the UAE has been among the main targets of Iranian attacks.

Despite the clashes, former U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that a ceasefire agreement remains in effect, according to the report sourced from CNN.

The United States’ planned naval mission ‘Project Freedom,’ aimed at securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, faced a major setback when Saudi Arabia and Kuwait refused to allow the use of their airspace and military facilities. As a result, U.S. President Donald Trump was compelled to temporarily suspend the operation. According to NBC News, Saudi Arabia denied access to the Prince Sultan Air Base and prohibited U.S. military flights over its territory.

U.S. officials said Trump’s sudden announcement of the project on Sunday caught Gulf allies off guard. Despite a phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, no agreement was reached. A Saudi official told NBC News that the situation was changing too quickly for a decision, but Riyadh viewed Pakistan’s mediation between the U.S. and Iran positively. The White House maintained that regional partners had been informed in advance, though a Middle Eastern diplomat claimed coordination occurred only with Oman after Trump’s public statement.

Following the suspension, Iran’s ports and maritime authority declared readiness to assist commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, offering fuel, food, and medical support if needed.

Saudi Arabia has called for calm as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise in the Middle East, putting a regional ceasefire at risk. The appeal was made on Tuesday through a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media platform X.

In the statement, Riyadh expressed deep concern over the ongoing military escalation in the region and emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate the situation. The ministry also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a political resolution to the conflict.

The statement reflects Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional actor seeking to prevent further instability and promote dialogue amid growing uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran confrontation.

Saudi Arabia is moving closer to Turkey and Pakistan as tensions rise within the Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates has decided to leave OPEC, while Saudi Arabia is shutting down one of its major foreign sports ventures. Both U.S. allies are navigating a complex separation process and facing pressure from Iran. The developments come a year after President Trump’s Gulf visit, which had inspired hopes for a stable, AI-driven, post-oil future in the region.

The UAE’s withdrawal from the Saudi-led oil cartel marks a new fracture in regional alliances, intensified by the Iran war. While UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed initially sought to avoid conflict, he later supported continuing the fight to prevent Iran’s strengthening. In contrast, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shifted from supporting the war to seeking an exit as economic damage mounted. Qatar, hit by direct attacks, has also struggled to balance ties with the U.S. and Iran.

Washington has chosen not to intervene in the Saudi-UAE split, though senior U.S. officials remain concerned about growing hostility between its key Arab partners.

Saudi Arabia is confronting a severe challenge following the United Arab Emirates’ sudden withdrawal from OPEC, as the ongoing Iran war disrupts crude exports across the Persian Gulf. The conflict has prevented Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members from using their spare production capacity, worsening the supply crisis. Crown Prince and Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman now faces pressure to stabilize the market while managing internal divisions within the oil alliance.

The UAE, previously OPEC’s fourth-largest producer and second in spare capacity after Saudi Arabia, had long expressed dissatisfaction with its production quota. Analysts note that the country’s departure exposes deeper rifts within OPEC, especially as Saudi Arabia’s decision-making has shifted from consensus-driven diplomacy to more unilateral actions. The geopolitical rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, intensified by conflicts in Yemen, has further strained cooperation.

Experts suggest that despite the current turmoil, the crisis could eventually strengthen OPEC’s unity and streamline its decision-making process once regional oil flows normalize.

Saudi Arabia has announced strict health regulations for Hajj pilgrims ahead of the main rituals of the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Health stated that individuals suffering from serious physical or mental illnesses will not be granted Hajj permits this year. The directive, reported by Gulf News citing the Saudi Public Health Authority, aims to ensure the safety of pilgrims who might struggle with the physically demanding rituals. The ministry has also made several vaccinations mandatory for all participants.

According to the Saudi authorities, people with kidney complications requiring dialysis, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, severe mental disorders including dementia, extreme age-related weakness, and women in the last trimester of pregnancy are ineligible for Hajj permits. All pilgrims must receive a meningitis vaccine at least ten days before the pilgrimage. Those at higher risk, such as the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women, are advised to take COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines.

The ministry emphasized that these measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s annual effort to prevent global health risks and ensure the safety of millions gathering in Mecca.

Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that his football career is approaching its end. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, currently playing for Al Nassr, made the admission after a recent victory over Al Ahli in which he scored his 970th career goal. Despite maintaining strong form, Ronaldo said he realizes the end of his playing days is not far away, though he continues to enjoy every match.

Since joining the Saudi Pro League in 2023, Ronaldo has yet to win a league title. This season, however, Al Nassr lead the table by eight points over Al Hilal, giving him a strong chance to secure that long-awaited trophy. He emphasized that team success now matters more to him than personal achievements, stating that winning titles is his top priority.

Fans are speculating whether the 2026 World Cup will mark Ronaldo’s final appearance on the global stage. While he has not confirmed his retirement timeline, he remains determined to finish his career on a winning note.

Al Nassr strengthened their position in the Saudi Pro League title race with a 2-0 home victory over Al Ahli on April 30, 2026. The Riyadh-based club maintained their winning streak, marking their 20th consecutive win in all competitions. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 75th minute with a header from a corner, breaking a long deadlock. Kingsley Coman sealed the result in the 90th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error.

Ronaldo’s goal was his 25th of the current league season, making him the first player to score 25 or more goals in three consecutive league campaigns for the second time in his career. The Portuguese forward now has 970 career goals across all competitions, including 126 for Al Nassr. Despite his milestone, he remains two goals behind Ivan Toney in the league’s top scorer chart.

With 79 points from 30 matches, Al Nassr lead the table ahead of Al Hilal on 71 points and Al Ahli on 66. The win further solidifies Al Nassr’s title ambitions as Ronaldo’s consistent form continues to drive their campaign.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that workers in the country will be entitled to up to 15 days of paid leave to perform Hajj. The ministry stated that this leave, which includes the Eid al-Adha holidays, is part of the Saudi labor law and aims to strengthen workers’ rights. Employees must have worked continuously for at least two years in the same organization to qualify for the benefit.

According to the ministry, the special leave can only be taken once during an employee’s entire career and is available only to those who have not previously performed Hajj. Employers will determine how many workers can take the leave each year, based on the nature and operational needs of their organizations, to ensure that business activities are not disrupted.

The ministry emphasized that the initiative will make it easier for Muslim employees in Saudi Arabia to fulfill their religious obligations while reinforcing labor protections across the workforce.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Riyadh, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Thursday. The meeting focused on reviewing bilateral relations and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Both ministers also discussed recent regional and international developments and their implications for security and stability. Prince Yazid bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister’s adviser on Lebanese affairs, was also present.

The French minister’s visit took place amid a deadlock in efforts to resolve tensions between the United States and Iran, which have affected Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and France have been jointly pursuing diplomatic initiatives to address Lebanon’s instability. The meeting comes as cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continue despite a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The discussions in Riyadh are expected to contribute to ongoing diplomatic coordination between Saudi Arabia and France on regional security matters, particularly concerning Lebanon and broader Middle Eastern stability.

French energy company TotalEnergies has announced the restart of operations at the SATORP oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. The facility had been shut down as a precaution after sustaining damage during an Iranian attack on April 8. According to the company, operations resumed on April 14, and the refinery is now running at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day.

TotalEnergies stated that three units of the refinery were damaged in the incident, prompting a full shutdown for safety reasons. The unaffected units have since been brought back online. The refinery is jointly owned by Saudi Aramco, holding 62.5 percent, and TotalEnergies, with 37.5 percent.

The attack occurred amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East, targeting one of the area’s key energy installations. The resumption of operations marks a significant step toward restoring stability in Saudi Arabia’s oil production network.

Leaders of Gulf countries met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to discuss the regional crisis caused by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, according to AFP. The meeting, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked the first in-person gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members since the conflict began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. The talks focused on the political and security situation and the need for coordinated action to manage the escalating tensions.

The meeting took place as the White House reviewed Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal and discussions emerged about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that previously carried about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and LNG shipments but has been largely closed since the war began. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said the summit underscored Gulf unity and the need for closer coordination.

A GCC statement strongly condemned Iran’s “blatant attacks” on Gulf states, saying the assaults severely damaged mutual trust and urging Tehran to take concrete steps to rebuild relations.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders convened an emergency in-person summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to address the escalating Iran crisis. This marks the first such gathering since the Iran-Israel war began on February 28. A GCC official told Reuters that the meeting aims to develop a coordinated response to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks, which have targeted key infrastructure, including U.S.-linked facilities and military bases across the six member states.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8, attacks have decreased but discussions have yet to yield a final resolution. The ongoing uncertainty has heightened anxiety among Gulf monarchies. Saudi state media reported that Qatar’s Emir, Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Bahrain’s King, and the UAE’s Foreign Minister have arrived in Jeddah, while Oman’s representation remains unclear.

UAE senior official Anwar Gargash criticized the GCC’s current stance, saying that while member states cooperate on logistics, their political and military positions are at their weakest in history, a situation he did not expect from the GCC.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a strict warning against transporting visit visa holders to Mecca during the Hajj season. The ministry announced that anyone found violating this rule could face a fine of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals. The restriction, which began on April 20 (1 Dhul-Qadah), will remain in effect until May 30 (14 Dhul-Hijjah). During this period, individuals holding visit visas are completely prohibited from entering or being transported into the holy city.

Authorities stated that violators will not only face financial penalties but also risk having their vehicles confiscated through court proceedings. This applies whether the vehicle owner is the driver or has partners involved in the offense. Citizens have been urged to report any violations related to Hajj and Umrah regulations by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

The ministry assured that informants’ identities will remain confidential and that they will not face legal consequences. The measure aims to preserve the sanctity of Hajj and ensure the safety of registered pilgrims.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a commanding 4-0 victory over Al Wasl on Sunday night, securing a place in the semifinals of the AFC Champions League-2. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by goals from Inigo Martinez and Abdulelah Al-Amri in the first half. Mane sealed the win in the 80th minute with his 13th goal of the season.

Joao Felix played a key role by assisting Al Nassr’s second and third goals, helping the team dominate from start to finish. The win sends Al Nassr into the West Zone final, where they will face the winner of the Al Ahli Doha vs Al Hussein SC match, scheduled to be held in Dubai.

In another match, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. Lyon’s Endrick and Afonso Moreira scored early goals, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted a consolation for PSG in stoppage time.