mohammed bin salman

The United Arab Emirates' exit from OPEC has stirred up a whirlwind of uncertainty in the oil sector, prompting analysts to ponder the future of the cartel. While the UAE boasts considerable production capabilities, the market's reaction has been surprisingly subdued, likely due to distractions from other geopolitical shifts. However, Opec is unlikely to collapse overnight.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia following an invitation from Crown Prince mohammed bin salman. The trip occurs amidst a fragile ceasefire and follows talks that concluded without a formal agreement. Sharif's delegation will discuss regional developments and financial cooperation, with Pakistan also deploying military forces to Saudi Arabia under a defense pact.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince mohammed bin salman, discussing the ongoing Middle East conflict. Both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open and secure, while India reiterated its condemnation of attacks on energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia has made a historic entry into NASA's Artemis program with the successful launch of its "Shams" satellite. This marks the first Arab nation's participation in the lunar mission, contributing vital space weather research. The initiative underscores the Kingdom's growing technological prowess and commitment to global space collaboration.

Underscoring India’s energy and diaspora interests in the Gulf, Modi has twice spoken to leaders of all GCC countries since the conflict started and condemned the violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. India, however, is yet to condemn the US-Israel strikes on Iran. This was the second telephonic conversation between the PM and the crown prince since the West Asia conflict started on Feb 28.

Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant environmental milestone, restoring one million hectares of degraded land and planting over 159 million trees as part of the Saudi Green Initiative. This progress, driven by national coordination and modern techniques, strengthens biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, setting the stage for future ambitious targets.

US Central Command released images showing the destruction of an Iranian facility producing drone and aircraft components following American airstrikes. This action occurs amidst the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict. French President Macron discussed strengthening Saudi air defenses and urged Iran to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Crown Prince mohammed bin salman is reportedly urging US President Trump to escalate military action against Iran, viewing it as a chance to reshape the Middle East. He believes removing Iran's current government is key to addressing the threat to Gulf nations. However, Riyadh officially denies pushing for war, emphasizing a peaceful resolution and self-defense against Iranian attacks.

US security umbrella has put the region in Iran’s crosshairs, even as US diverted air defences from these Arab nations to Israel. But monarchies’ responses to this strategic tough spot are very different, from Saudi to UAE to Oman

Pakistan faces a strategic crossroads, caught between alliances and regional conflicts. Past involvements in foreign wars, driven by external powers, have led to domestic instability and blowback. Now, a new defence pact with Saudi Arabia and escalating conflict with Afghanistan highlight the nation's struggle to balance relevance with long-term stability, risking further entanglement.

Field Marshal Asim Munir recently told Shia clerics that those who “love Iran so much” should “go to Iran” — a remark widely condemned by community leaders as provocative and offensive. But the Shia-Sunni divide in the Islamic world is not new

Crown Prince Mohammed, the people familiar with the discussions said, has argued that Iran poses a long-term threat to the Gulf that can only be eliminated by getting rid of the government

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is now in trouble

Saudi Arabia and Israel have quietly converged, driven by shared concerns over Iran's regional influence. Despite public diplomacy, Saudi Crown Prince mohammed bin salman reportedly urged a US strike, warning of a stronger Iran if action was delayed. This alignment, fueled by geopolitical rivalry and Iran's nuclear ambitions, risks hardening sectarian divides and intensifying the struggle for Islamic world leadership.

Pakistan condemned Iran's strikes on Saudi Arabia and voiced firm solidarity with Riyadh. Despite a 2025 defence pact, analysts expect Islamabad to pursue diplomacy and logistical support rather than direct military involvement, due to its domestic and regional constraints. The agreement centres on conventional cooperation and explicitly excludes nuclear guarantees.

The Sept 2025 Saudi-Pak security pact stipulates that an attack on one of them would be treated as an attack on both. But can Islamabad afford to join a military campaign against Iran, ignoring the Shia-Sunni equation at home and amid its own war-like situation with Afghanistan?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced deep concern over the escalating Middle East situation. This follows significant military action by the United States and Israel against Iran. The strikes led to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. India will work with regional nations to ensure the safety of its citizens.

The region is ablaze with conflict as Israel's military operations hit Iran's essential gas facilities, inciting a fierce retaliation from Iran against Gulf Arab energy hubs. Amidst this chaos, the targeted killings of influential Iranian leaders by Israel have exacerbated the already high tensions.

Saudi Crown Prince mohammed bin salman reportedly urged President Trump to sanction an armed group in Sudan, a move Saudi officials claim was aimed at ending the conflict by pressuring the UAE's support.

The newly announced Crown Prince mohammed bin salman already oversees a vast portfolio as defense minister and head of an economic council tasked with overhauling the country's economy. However, the young prince was little known to Saudis and outsiders before Salman became king in January 2015.