Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan discuss diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability, security

Iran has exchanged views with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on the latest progress of the diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at maintaining and enhancing security and stability in the West Asia region, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced early Monday.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to a statement from the ministry.

The three sides highlighted the necessity to use the capacities provided by regional cooperation and political solutions, said the ministry.

The Iranian foreign minister also had separate telephone conversations with his Saudi counterpart and the Pakistani army chief on Saturday, when he warned the United States against taking any "adventurous" action, voicing Tehran's complete readiness to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

He said the Iranian armed forces will give "decisive and fitting" responses to any "aggression and hostile action" by the United States and Israel against Iran or the participation of regional states in the perpetration of such acts, stressing that the responsibility for the consequences of such "adventurous actions" will be borne by those behind them.

In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations with Iran will begin Monday afternoon, noting that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had asked Washington to call off planned strikes because "they think there's a deal."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday that Iran must make efforts to compel the United States to remain committed to the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on peace between the two countries.

On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. The two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement, but the talks' fate is hanging in the balance due to recent escalation between Tehran and Washington.

Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan discuss diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability, security

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The first Kenya National Wushu Competition was held in Nairobi last Thursday, bringing together contestants from eight counties to showcase their skills in Chinese martial arts.

Students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions competed in various Wushu disciplines. Top performers received gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as merit awards.

The competition was co-hosted by the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, the Kenya Kungfu Wushu Federation, and a Chinese electronics and media company StarTimes Group.

From graceful sword routines to explosive kicks and lightning-fast punches, Wushu combines athleticism, art, and centuries of tradition. 

Wushu artist Elvis Munyasya shared what drew him to the event.

"What inspired me a lot is action movies, the ones like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and also there was a time I came across a video on YouTube. It was about Kungfu and the performance of Wushu and that's where I got inspired and started training Wushu," Munyasya said. 

For another Wushu artist Veronica Wambui, Wushu is as much about self-control as it is about physical skill.

"Like anger issues, you are told how to control it. For instance, you can't come here and insult me then I fight back. I will withhold myself or just leave you. So, there's a lot of discipline inside Wushu," Wambui said. 

Organisers hope this competition marks the beginning of a new chapter for Wushu in Kenya. 

"I think with this competition, more and more Kenyans will know Wushu and come to CI (Confucius Institute) to learn Wushu," said Zhou Xiaodong, director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University.

He also believes it can help bring Kenya and China closer together. 

"I think with this, the two countries will strengthen ties and also for our CI, we will have a deeper relationship with the Kenya Kungfu Wushu Federation," Zhou said.

Kenya's first national Wushu competition gains popularity