Saudi, New Zealand Foreign Ministers Discuss Middle East Situation and Security Concerns
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held discussions with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters regarding the evolving situation in the Middle East, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
During the conversation, the two ministers reviewed the latest regional developments and exchanged views on the security challenges arising from the ongoing escalation in the region.
According to the report, Peters expressed New Zealand’s condemnation of Iran’s indiscriminate attacks on the Kingdom and thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to ensure the safety of foreign nationals, including New Zealand citizens residing in the country.
The discussions come amid heightened tensions in the region following a large-scale military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
Since then, the Saudi military has intercepted and destroyed numerous missiles and drones launched from Iran toward the Kingdom.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said early Tuesday that its air defense systems successfully shot down a ballistic missile in the Eastern Province after previously intercepting several drones targeting the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter on Friday evening.
Officials said the Kingdom’s defense forces remain on high alert to safeguard national security and protect vital infrastructure amid the ongoing regional escalation.
