Mohamed, Faris pray for UAE’s security and safety

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.

Sheikh Mohamed exchanged cordial conversations with Al Mazrouei, his family and those present. They also exchanged greetings and conveyed their best wishes on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, praying for the UAE to enjoy continued security, safety, and prosperity.

The meeting touched on the values of connection and social cohesion that are deeply rooted in UAE society, and the leadership’s commitment to strengthening them as a foundation for a cohesive and unified community that contributes to the nation’s security and development.

Sheikh Mohamed commended Al Mazrouei service to the nation, highlighting his efforts to preserve the UAE’s rich heritage, safeguard it for future generations, and strengthen national identity.

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT: Sheikh Mohamed on Monday received a phone call from Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, during which they discussed developments in the region and the serious implications of the ongoing military escalation for regional and international security and stability.

The two sides discussed the continued Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the UAE and other countries in the region, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and vital facilities, noting that they constitute a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Both sides underscored the need for an immediate halt to the military escalation and for prioritising dialogue and diplomacy to address outstanding regional issues in a way that preserves security and stability and prevents further crises.

MISSILES INTERCEPTED: The UAE air defence systems on Monday engaged seven ballistic missiles and 16 UAVs launched from Iran.

Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 352 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,789 UAVs.

These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as six civilian fatalities, a total of 161 people were also injured.

GCC-EU STANCE: Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed strong condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting GCC countries, stressing that they constitute a blatant violation of sovereignty, international laws and norms, and a direct threat to regional and international security and stability.

This came during a phone call he received on Monday from Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean at the European Commission, during which they reviewed the latest regional developments and the repercussions of the serious escalation.

The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean expressed rejection of all Iranian hostile acts towards GCC countries, affirming the European Union’s full support for the security and stability of GCC states.

TRUMP PUTS OFF BOMBING THREAT: Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had given orders to postpone for five days the attacks he had threatened against Iranian power plants, and said the US was in talks with Tehran about ending the US-Israeli war ‌on Iran.

However, Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, mooted to be the leader representing Iran in contacts with the US, posted on social media that no talks had been held with the US

Trump wrote early in the US morning on his Truth Social platform that the US and Iran had had “very good and productive” conversations over the past two days about a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.”

He later told reporters that his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who had been negotiating with Iran before the war, ‌had had discussions with a top Iranian official into the evening on Sunday, and would continue on Monday.

He declined to say who the US was speaking to in Iran but said it was not Mojtaba Khamenei.

“We’re dealing with the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader,” Trump said.

An unnamed Israeli official and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Qalibaf, increasingly influential, was representing Iran and that talks on ending the war could be held in Islamabad as soon as this week.

Agencies