RIYADH DAILY - 25 MARCH 2026
Defense Ministry Intercepts Two Drones Over Eastern Province, Crown Prince Receives Calls From Pakistani and UK Leaders, Iran Names Security Council Secretary Amid Diplomatic Void
Pakistan PM Sharif briefs Saudi Crown Prince on Iran mediation efforts per multiple sources
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing mediation efforts between US and Iran per Arab News PK, Deccan Herald, and Mint, as Islamabad pushes to host peace talks.
UK PM Starmer and Crown Prince discuss Iran war and UK defensive equipment deployment to Saudi Arabia
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening discussing ongoing Middle East conflict and updating on deployment of further UK defensive military equipment per Downing Street spokesperson and Al-Monitor.
Arab League to convene Sunday emergency meeting on Iran attacks and regional escalation
Arab League scheduled emergency meeting for Sunday to discuss Iranian attacks on Gulf states and regional escalation per Asharq Al-Awsat, marking coordinated regional diplomatic response to conflict.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Ministry of Defense reported interception and destruction of two drones over Eastern Province on 25 March, per Sabq, extending air defense posture into fourth consecutive week as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sustained retaliatory campaign against regional targets. Crown Prince Mohammed bin SALMAN received telephone calls from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz SHARIF and UK Prime Minister Keir STARMER on 24-25 March discussing Iran conflict and regional mediation efforts, per multiple outlets. Iran named former IRGC commander Mohammad Baqer ZOLGHADR as secretary of Supreme National Security Council replacing Ali LARIJANI, killed in February strikes, per Saudi Gazette, Asharq Al-Awsat, and Al Arabiya English—appointment signals Tehran's continued reliance on hardline security apparatus amid conflict. Asharq Al-Awsat reported Arab League scheduled emergency meeting for 29 March to address Iranian attacks on Gulf states and regional escalation. Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman AL SAUD met French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien LECORNU on 24 March in Riyadh discussing bilateral defense cooperation and condemning Iranian aggression, per Sabq and Okaz. King SALMAN received written message from Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq AL SAID delivered by Omani ambassador on 24 March, per Sabq and Saudi Gazette, reflecting continued Gulf diplomatic coordination. END SUMMARY.
