Regional
Turkish President Erdogan meets Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, marking the first stop of his regional tour, according to Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran.
Erdogan is in Saudi Arabia on an official visit, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Emine Erdogan, as well as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, Defense Minister Yasar Guler and other senior officials.
No further details were released about the closed-door meeting.
Following the talks, bin Salman hosted a closed-door dinner in honor of the Turkish president at the Yemame Palace. Earlier in the day, Erdogan was welcomed by the crown prince during an official reception.
The Riyadh visit is the first leg of Erdogan’s tour of regional countries.
He is scheduled to travel to Cairo on Wednesday at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to co-chair the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
During his visit to Egypt, Erdogan and Sisi are expected to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments, with a particular focus on the situation in Palestine, Duran said.
The Turkish president is also set to attend a Türkiye-Egypt Business Forum in Cairo.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported.
Due to the destruction of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a statement by the IRGC.
This marks the second time Iran claimed it shot down a US F-35 amid the ongoing escalation since Feb. 28.
The US has not responded to the report as yet.
Iran had previously announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.
Tehran also claimed on Thursday to have downed an Israeli F-16 jet.
Tensions in the region have remained high following a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Iranian sources say the strikes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths, including senior leadership figures.
In response, Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The ongoing exchanges have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to regional air traffic and global markets.
Regional
Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery hit by drones, fires break out
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drones early on Friday, setting off fires at operating units, according to the state news agency, but no injuries were reported.
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in a statement said they are monitoring and tracking air quality in the areas surrounding the refinery, and no negative environmental impacts have been recorded so far as a result of the attack.
Emergency and firefighting teams are working to contain the fires and prevent their spread, the company said. No injuries were reported in the attack.
Dubai-based airline Emirates’ website said on Wednesday that Iranian nationals were not allowed to enter or transit the United Arab Emirates.
The website of another carrier, Flydubai, said Iranian nationals holding a UAE “Golden Visa” were exempt and permitted to enter and transit the country, Reuters reported.
The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states.
5.8-magnitude earthquake shakes parts of Afghanistan
Tawsia: This week’s key economic developments in Afghanistan discussed
Iran claims it shot down US F-35 jet
Tripartite agreement to launch new Russia–Turkmenistan–Afghanistan transit corridor
China says Afghanistan–Pakistan peace talks show progress
Prominent Muslim scholar issues fatwa calling for Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire
IEA Supreme Leader issues Eid-ul-Fitr message urging unity and support for Islamic system
14 Pakistani soldiers killed after military post falls along Durand line: MoD
Afghanistan steps in to replace Iran in supplying fruits and vegetables to Russia
Afghan airstrikes target Pakistani military sites in retaliation for air attacks
Tawsia: This week’s key economic developments in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Start of talks between Kabul-Islamabad in China discussed
Saar: Ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran discussed
Tahawol: Ongoing US–Israeli war with Iran discussed
Saar: Afghanistan-Pakistan talks in China discussed
-
Latest News4 days agoTAPI gas pipeline advances 25 km in Afghanistan
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan opens doors to agribusiness investments amid rising opportunities
-
Latest News2 days agoBaradar approves 17 projects worth over one billion AFN
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghan diaspora protests in London and Oslo over Pakistan strikes
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan shelling in Afghanistan’s Kunar leaves civilian casualties, says IEA
-
Regional5 days agoPakistan hosts regional powers for Iran talks, with focus on Hormuz proposals
-
Sport3 days agoATN secures broadcast rights for inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League
-
International Sports4 days agoAmnesty International raises alarm over deportations, protests ahead of FIFA World Cup