Saudi Foreign Minister Minimizes the Prospect of Iran-Israel War Amid Gaza Tensions
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud assures that the Trump administration is not heightening the threat of a regional war, as he discusses major Middle East concerns at the World Economic Forum.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, has stated that he does not believe U.S. President Donald Trump's administration heightens the risk of war between Israel and Iran, despite increasing Middle East tensions.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal underscored the need to prevent conflict in the region, especially given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and its potential to spark a broader confrontation.
The minister remarked that President Trump has consistently shown a preference for avoiding conflict, in contrast to concerns raised after Hamas's deadly cross-border raid on Israel in October 2023. This incident led to a severe military response from Israel, which involved Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis and resulted in a ceasefire deal reached over a year later.
Prince Faisal also pointed out the necessity for international assistance in rebuilding Syria, a nation devastated by prolonged conflict.
He urged the lifting of sanctions imposed due to the former Assad regime's actions to assist in the rebuilding effort.
Additionally, he mentioned Saudi Arabia's renewed involvement with Lebanon and announced plans to visit Beirut for the first time in over ten years, emphasizing that genuine reforms were vital for deeper engagement.
Regarding Gaza's future governance, both Prince Faisal and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who played a role in brokering the ceasefire, expressed hopes for a return to Palestinian Authority rule, although the specific governance details of Gaza were not outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal underscored the need to prevent conflict in the region, especially given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and its potential to spark a broader confrontation.
The minister remarked that President Trump has consistently shown a preference for avoiding conflict, in contrast to concerns raised after Hamas's deadly cross-border raid on Israel in October 2023. This incident led to a severe military response from Israel, which involved Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis and resulted in a ceasefire deal reached over a year later.
Prince Faisal also pointed out the necessity for international assistance in rebuilding Syria, a nation devastated by prolonged conflict.
He urged the lifting of sanctions imposed due to the former Assad regime's actions to assist in the rebuilding effort.
Additionally, he mentioned Saudi Arabia's renewed involvement with Lebanon and announced plans to visit Beirut for the first time in over ten years, emphasizing that genuine reforms were vital for deeper engagement.
Regarding Gaza's future governance, both Prince Faisal and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who played a role in brokering the ceasefire, expressed hopes for a return to Palestinian Authority rule, although the specific governance details of Gaza were not outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
