Regional officials appealed for restraint Saturday as concerns mounted over the possibility of a renewed confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
At a security conference in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of foreign affairs said countries across the region are sending a clear message: they want peace restored. Syria’s foreign minister, who also attended the gathering, said Syria and Jordan plan to hold talks on improving security along their shared border.
Here’s the latest Middle East news from Saturday. Follow our full coverage here.
Middle Eastern officials urge restraint as fears grow over possible U.S.-Israel-Iran escalation
Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed ElKhereiji said Saturday that regional governments are working to prevent further military action and secure an agreement to bring the crisis with Iran to an end. Speaking at the Bahrain security forum, he said the region’s preferred outcome is a return to stability.
“If you look at … the efforts that everybody is trying to do, the message is very clear. People in this part of the world want to bring peace back to the region,” he said, while cautioning that the final result of those diplomatic efforts remains uncertain.
The warnings come as anxiety grows over the prospect of another full-scale war involving Iran.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaking at the same forum, said any renewed escalation could have devastating consequences for the region.
“We are very confident that … the second round will be more dangerous, more destructive, and it will lead to nowhere,” he said.
Syria and Jordan describe border security as a joint responsibility
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Syria’s Foreign Minister said Saturday that Damascus and Amman share responsibility for securing their border. He added that senior officials are expected to meet next month to discuss new security arrangements.
Addressing the Bahrain security forum, Assad al-Shibani said the two countries are not engaged in “skirmishes.”
His comments followed Jordanian airstrikes in Syria last week that heightened tensions between the neighboring countries.
Jordan said the strikes killed 20 fighters from the extremist Islamic State group, while also acknowledging civilian deaths. Syrian officials said seven people were killed, most of them women and children.
Al-Shibani also said Syria is considering whether to join the Mecca Pact, a Saudi-led defense partnership that includes Turkey and Pakistan.
“Whether Syria joins or not, Syria thinks the region is in dire need of a structure that protects its security,” he said.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as additional developments are reported.
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