Mideast leaders call for calm as fears mount of a renewed war in the region, and other Mideast news

Regional leaders convened on Saturday to urge a return to peace in the Middle East amidst growing fears of a renewed conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed ElKhereiji, highlighted the shared desire for peace during a security forum in Bahrain. He stressed that efforts were being made to prevent a military escalation and achieve an agreement that ends the crisis with Iran. However, he cautioned that the outcome of these efforts remains uncertain.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty echoed the call for calm, expressing deep concern that an escalation in the region would be extremely destructive, warning that it would lead to nowhere. Syria's Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani reiterated that border security with Jordan is a shared responsibility and announced a high-level meeting to discuss arrangements next month.

This comes in the wake of Jordanian strikes in Syria, which killed 20 militants from the extremist Islamic State group, but also resulted in the deaths of civilians, mostly women and children.

Al-Shibani also stated that Syria is in talks to evaluate joining the Mecca Pact, a Saudi-led defense alliance that includes Turkey and Pakistan. He emphasized that the region needs a structure to protect its security, regardless of Syria's eventual decision to join the alliance.