His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a telephone call yesterday, Friday, from His Excellency Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs. This call comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic and regional countries to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation and discuss issues of common interest.

During the call, a comprehensive review of current regional and international developments took place. The two sides focused primarily on discussing diplomatic and political efforts to de-escalate tensions and the necessity of joint action to prevent further escalation that could negatively impact international peace and security. They agreed on the importance of continued coordination to contribute to achieving security and stability for all the peoples of the region.

The Kingdom's leading role in promoting regional stability

These talks reaffirm the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, in spearheading diplomatic efforts to achieve peace. Saudi diplomacy consistently prioritizes dialogue and political solutions in addressing crises, as the Kingdom is a cornerstone of regional security and works tirelessly with all relevant actors to ensure stability in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The importance of joint coordination in light of current challenges

This contact is of particular importance given the delicate circumstances the region is experiencing, as current security and political challenges necessitate a high level of coordination and consultation among Islamic countries. The Afghan issue and stability in Afghanistan are integral to broader regional security, and the Kingdom consistently supports efforts that serve the interests of the brotherly Afghan people and help them achieve their aspirations for development and prosperity, free from conflict.

At the end of the call, both sides stressed the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to contain any emerging crises, emphasizing that constructive dialogue is the best way to overcome obstacles and achieve the aspirations of peoples to live in lasting safety and stability.

In a new escalation of the US stance on the Iranian nuclear issue, US President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday his categorical and absolute rejection of any level of uranium enrichment within Iranian territory, even under the guise of civilian or peaceful purposes. These fiery remarks came less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the third round of direct negotiations between delegations from Washington and Tehran in Geneva, Switzerland, casting doubt on the viability of the current diplomatic track.

Speaking to reporters in Corpus Christi, Texas, Trump explained that available information indicates Iran is seeking to reach enrichment levels between 20% and 30%. The US president asserted that these levels cannot be classified as civilian energy uses, stating unequivocally, "This level is not civilian." Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of the recent talks, summarizing the US position with a decisive statement: "I say no to enrichment." This represents a return to the "zero enrichment" principle long advocated by hawks in successive US administrations.

These statements come at a highly sensitive time, as Geneva has witnessed intense diplomatic activity in recent days aimed at finding common ground to revive nuclear understandings. Discussions have focused primarily on key points of contention, most notably the permissible limit for uranium enrichment and the monitoring mechanisms to be enforced by the International Atomic Energy Agency—issues that form the crux of any potential agreement.

From a technical and political standpoint, Trump's talk of 20% and 30% enrichment levels carries serious implications. Uranium intended for civilian power reactors typically does not require enrichment exceeding 3.67% to 5%. Reaching the 20% threshold, however, is considered by nuclear experts to be a significant technological leap that would shorten the time needed to reach the 90% enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Therefore, Washington's insistence on a complete ban on enrichment stems from fears that any civilian enrichment infrastructure could be quickly diverted into a clandestine military program.

This hardline stance brings to mind the complexities of the international landscape surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue for many years. The United States believes that allowing Tehran to possess a complete nuclear fuel cycle threatens regional and international security, while Iran insists that enrichment is its sovereign right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Trump's recent statements are expected to complicate the task of international mediators and may push Tehran to adopt even more hardline positions in future rounds of talks, leaving the entire region facing open-ended scenarios ranging from diplomatic stalemate to military escalation.