Saudi Arabia imposed on Sunday a temporary lockdown on its eastern oil-producing province of Qatif, home to most of its 15 coronavirus infections, and suspended schools and universities nationwide.

Four new cases, including an American arrival who visited Italy and the Philippines, took the tally to 15 on Monday, as the kingdom suspended travel with nine nations, from neighbouring United Arab Emirates to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt.

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The interior ministry announced the lockdown in Qatif, which has a large Shi'ite Muslim population, after Saudi Arabia confirmed the four latest cases. It is not expected to have any impact on Saudi oil production, two industry sources said.

But the decision could stir resentment in Qatif, which has been a flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government and minority Shi'ites who have complained of discrimination and marginalisation, charges the government denies.

"Work at all public and private institutions is halted as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease," the interior ministry said in a statement, adding that only vital services such as security and provisioning would be excluded.

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The ministry said the Qatif curbs on movement would allow residents to return home and commercial supplies to continue.

Cement blocks were placed on the main road to Qatif, said one resident of the province, while others reported a rush to grocery shops after the lockdown began.

Saudi authorities have previously said those infected had visited either Iran or Iraq or been in contact with people who visited those countries, home to Shi'ite holy sites.

The curbs in Qatif could also increase tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, rivals in a regional struggle for influence. Riyadh denounced Tehran on Thursday for granting Saudi citizens entry during the outbreak.

From among Monday's cases, the American visitor has been transferred to a hospital in Riyadh, the capital. The rest involve a Saudi national who had contact with an infected person in Qatif, and two Bahraini women who came from Iraq.

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The entertainment authority announced on Monday the closure of leisure attractions Riyadh Boulevard and Winter Wonderland, over virus concerns.

Saudi Arabia, which suspended travel with nine countries on Monday, had already banned travel to Iran, which has a tally of 194 virus deaths.

The health ministry said the newly diagnosed people, three of whom are women, had contact with a person with the virus who was reported to have returned from Iran via the United Arab Emirates but did not disclose his visit to the authorities.

Sunday's precautions included suspending all educational and Koranic activities in mosques in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam.

All public and private schools and universities would also be suspended from Monday until further notice, state media said, adding that distance learning measures would be adopted.

The March 23 start of the new Saudi Games, billed as the country's largest sporting event, has been postponed, Al Arabiya TV said.

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On Sunday, the Saudi government restricted land crossings with Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE to commercial trucks with passenger arrivals limited to three airports.

Qatar, with 15 cases, is to temporarily bar travellers from 14 countries from Monday. [L8N2B10WY]

Bahrain, with 85 infections, said its Formula One Grand Prix would go ahead this month without spectators.

Kuwait reported two more infections on Sunday, taking its total to 64, and its central bank announced a fund of 10 million dinars ($33 million) for the virus fight.

 
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Saudi Arabia imposed on Sunday a temporary lockdown on its eastern oil-producing province of Qatif, home to most of its 15 coronavirus infections, and suspended schools and universities nationwide.

Saudi Arabia imposed on Sunday a temporary lockdown on its eastern oil-producing province of Qatif, home to most of its 15 coronavirus infections, and suspended schools and universities nationwide. Four new cases, including an American arrival who visited Italy and the Philippines, took the tally to 15 on Monday, as the kingdom suspended travel with nine nations, from neighbouring United Arab Emirates to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt. Also Read: Opinion: The real reason why Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving The interior ministry announced the lockdown in Qatif, which has a large Shi'ite Muslim population, after Saudi Arabia confirmed the four latest cases. It is not expected to have any impact on Saudi oil production, two industry sources said. But the decision could stir resentment in Qatif, which has been a flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government and minority Shi'ites who have complained of discrimination and marginalisation, charges the government denies. "Work at all public and private institutions is halted as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease," the interior ministry said in a statement, adding that only vital services such as security and provisioning would be excluded. Also Read: Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women drivers The ministry said the Qatif curbs on movement would allow residents to return home and commercial supplies to continue. Cement blocks were placed on the main road to Qatif, said one resident of the province, while others reported a rush to grocery shops after the lockdown began. Saudi authorities have previously said those infected had visited either Iran or Iraq or been in contact with people who visited those countries, home to Shi'ite holy sites. The curbs in Qatif could also increase tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, rivals in a regional struggle for influence. Riyadh denounced Tehran on Thursday for granting Saudi citizens entry during the outbreak. From among Monday's cases, the American visitor has been transferred to a hospital in Riyadh, the capital. The rest involve a Saudi national who had contact with an infected person in Qatif, and two Bahraini women who came from Iraq. Also Read: Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban is lifted The entertainment authority announced on Monday the closure of leisure attractions Riyadh Boulevard and Winter Wonderland, over virus concerns. Saudi Arabia, which suspended travel with nine countries on Monday, had already banned travel to Iran, which has a tally of 194 virus deaths. The health ministry said the newly diagnosed people, three of whom are women, had contact with a person with the virus who was reported to have returned from Iran via the United Arab Emirates but did not disclose his visit to the authorities. Sunday's precautions included suspending all educational and Koranic activities in mosques in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. All public and private schools and universities would also be suspended from Monday until further notice, state media said, adding that distance learning measures would be adopted. The March 23 start of the new Saudi Games, billed as the country's largest sporting event, has been postponed, Al Arabiya TV said. Also Read: Saudi Arabia shuts Qatar's Al Jazeera amid ban crisis On Sunday, the Saudi government restricted land crossings with Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE to commercial trucks with passenger arrivals limited to three airports. Qatar, with 15 cases, is to temporarily bar travellers from 14 countries from Monday. [L8N2B10WY] Bahrain, with 85 infections, said its Formula One Grand Prix would go ahead this month without spectators. Kuwait reported two more infections on Sunday, taking its total to 64, and its central bank announced a fund of 10 million dinars ($33 million) for the virus fight.

Saudi Arabia locks down province, bans travel with 9 nations over coronavirus

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday said he preferred a "peaceful resolution" to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacks-on-oil-facilities-unquestionably-sponsored-by-iran-saudi-arabia-250580">crisis sparked by attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure,</a> as Iran warned against "all-out war".

Pompeo has blamed Iran for the weekend assault on two facilities which wiped out half of the Saudi oil production, dismissing its denials and condemning the "act of war".

The rhetoric has raised the risk of an unpredictable escalation in the tinderbox region where Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in a decades-old struggle for dominance.

Visiting the United Arab Emirates, Pompeo, however, said his country would prefer a "peaceful" solution to the crisis.

"We'd like a peaceful resolution," he said.

"I hope the Islamic Republic of Iran sees it the same way," he told reporters after talks with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-blink-to-defend-iran-against-us-or-saudi-military-strike-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-250634">Javad Zarif </a>earlier warned any US or Saudi military strike on Iran could cause "all-out war."&nbsp;

"We don't want war, we don't want to engage in a military confrontation," he told CNN in an interview aired Thursday.&nbsp;

"But we won't blink to defend our territory."

Pompeo arrived in Abu Dhabi from the Saudi city of Jeddah, where late Wednesday he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de-facto ruler who has said the assault poses a "real test" of global will.

The two sides agreed "the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its continued aggressive, reckless, and threatening behaviour," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

The "unacceptable and unprecedented attack... not only threatened Saudi Arabian national security but also endangered the lives of all the American citizens living and working in Saudi Arabia," she added.

'Glass towers'

Saudi officials Wednesday unveiled what they said were fragments of 25 drones and cruise missiles fired Saturday at the facilities in the country's east, engulfing them in flames.

"The attack was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran," defence ministry spokesman Turki al-Maliki said, but did not say whether Saudi officials believed Iran would ultimately be found to be the culprit.

Tehran-linked Huthi rebels in Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour Yemen have claimed responsibility, but both Washington and Riyadh have ruled that out, saying it was beyond their capabilities.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said the Huthi claim "lacks credibility".

The Huthis have hit dozens of targets in Saudi Arabia, and their rapidly advancing arsenal has exposed the vulnerability of the kingdom despite its vast military spending.

Huthi military spokesman Brigadier Yahya Saree said Saturday's assault on the two facilities was launched from three locations inside Yemen, using advanced drones with long-range capabilities.

He also threatened the United Arab Emirates, a key member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Huthis, saying it was ready to attack dozens of targets including the skyscraper-filled cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"If you want peace and security for your facilities and towers made of glass that cannot withstand one drone, then leave Yemen alone," he said.

'List of Iran targets'

US military planners weighing retaliation have reportedly forwarded a list of Iranian targets including the Abadan oil refinery, one of the world's largest, or Khark Island, the country's biggest oil export facility, the New York Times said.

Other potential targets include missile launch sites and other assets of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and bases in the southwest where unusual activity suggests they had a role in the strikes.&nbsp;

"Any strikes against Iran would almost certainly be carried out by volleys of cruise missiles from Navy vessels. Strike aircraft would be aloft to carry out attacks if Iranian retaliated against the first wave," the newspaper said.

Cinzia Bianco, a Middle East analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the incident could "trigger an out-of-control chain of escalatory events."

"Inside Saudi Arabia, there is uncertainty over the most appropriate course of action," she told AFP.

"However the dominant thinking there points to the US targeting critical infrastructure in Iran as to minimise or exclude any human cost."

Late Wednesday, CBS News cited an unnamed US official as saying Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved the attack, on condition it be carried out in a way to deny Iranian involvement.

US officials quoted said the most damning evidence against Iran was unreleased satellite photos showing Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps making preparations for the attack at its Ahvaz airbase.

But the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, said Thursday his country was "so powerful that they are forced to falsely accuse us to be behind any incident".

An international inquiry is underway, with the United Nations saying Thursday experts had arrived in the kingdom and begun their mission "at the invitation of the Saudi authorities".

Trump, who has already re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, promised on Wednesday to "substantially increase" the measures, winning quick praise from Riyadh.

Zarif, himself under US sanctions since July 31, described the measures as "illegal" and "inhuman" and designed to hurt ordinary citizens. 
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday said he preferred a "peaceful resolution" to a crisis sparked by attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, as Iran warned against "all-out war".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday said he preferred a "peaceful resolution" to a crisis sparked by attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, as Iran warned against "all-out war". Pompeo has blamed Iran for the weekend assault on two facilities which wiped out half of the Saudi oil production, dismissing its denials and condemning the "act of war". The rhetoric has raised the risk of an unpredictable escalation in the tinderbox region where Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in a decades-old struggle for dominance. Visiting the United Arab Emirates, Pompeo, however, said his country would prefer a "peaceful" solution to the crisis. "We'd like a peaceful resolution," he said. "I hope the Islamic Republic of Iran sees it the same way," he told reporters after talks with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier warned any US or Saudi military strike on Iran could cause "all-out war." "We don't want war, we don't want to engage in a military confrontation," he told CNN in an interview aired Thursday. "But we won't blink to defend our territory." Pompeo arrived in Abu Dhabi from the Saudi city of Jeddah, where late Wednesday he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de-facto ruler who has said the assault poses a "real test" of global will. The two sides agreed "the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its continued aggressive, reckless, and threatening behaviour," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. The "unacceptable and unprecedented attack... not only threatened Saudi Arabian national security but also endangered the lives of all the American citizens living and working in Saudi Arabia," she added. 'Glass towers' Saudi officials Wednesday unveiled what they said were fragments of 25 drones and cruise missiles fired Saturday at the facilities in the country's east, engulfing them in flames. "The attack was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran," defence ministry spokesman Turki al-Maliki said, but did not say whether Saudi officials believed Iran would ultimately be found to be the culprit. Tehran-linked Huthi rebels in Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour Yemen have claimed responsibility, but both Washington and Riyadh have ruled that out, saying it was beyond their capabilities. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said the Huthi claim "lacks credibility". The Huthis have hit dozens of targets in Saudi Arabia, and their rapidly advancing arsenal has exposed the vulnerability of the kingdom despite its vast military spending. Huthi military spokesman Brigadier Yahya Saree said Saturday's assault on the two facilities was launched from three locations inside Yemen, using advanced drones with long-range capabilities. He also threatened the United Arab Emirates, a key member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Huthis, saying it was ready to attack dozens of targets including the skyscraper-filled cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. "If you want peace and security for your facilities and towers made of glass that cannot withstand one drone, then leave Yemen alone," he said. 'List of Iran targets' US military planners weighing retaliation have reportedly forwarded a list of Iranian targets including the Abadan oil refinery, one of the world's largest, or Khark Island, the country's biggest oil export facility, the New York Times said. Other potential targets include missile launch sites and other assets of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and bases in the southwest where unusual activity suggests they had a role in the strikes. "Any strikes against Iran would almost certainly be carried out by volleys of cruise missiles from Navy vessels. Strike aircraft would be aloft to carry out attacks if Iranian retaliated against the first wave," the newspaper said. Cinzia Bianco, a Middle East analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the incident could "trigger an out-of-control chain of escalatory events." "Inside Saudi Arabia, there is uncertainty over the most appropriate course of action," she told AFP. "However the dominant thinking there points to the US targeting critical infrastructure in Iran as to minimise or exclude any human cost." Late Wednesday, CBS News cited an unnamed US official as saying Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved the attack, on condition it be carried out in a way to deny Iranian involvement. US officials quoted said the most damning evidence against Iran was unreleased satellite photos showing Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps making preparations for the attack at its Ahvaz airbase. But the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, said Thursday his country was "so powerful that they are forced to falsely accuse us to be behind any incident". An international inquiry is underway, with the United Nations saying Thursday experts had arrived in the kingdom and begun their mission "at the invitation of the Saudi authorities". Trump, who has already re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, promised on Wednesday to "substantially increase" the measures, winning quick praise from Riyadh. Zarif, himself under US sanctions since July 31, described the measures as "illegal" and "inhuman" and designed to hurt ordinary citizens.

Mike Pompeo favours 'peaceful resolution' to crisis after Saudi Aramco attack

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Saudi Arabia locks down province, bans travel with 9 nations over coronavirus

Mike Pompeo favours 'peaceful resolution' to crisis after Saudi Aramco attack