2025 in Saudi Arabia

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See also:	Other events of 2025 History of Saudi Arabia

Events in the year 2025 in Saudi Arabia .

Incumbents

Photo	Post	Name
	King of Saudi Arabia	Salman of Saudi Arabia
	Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia	Mohammed bin Salman

Events

January

• January 1 – The government announces the execution of six Iranian nationals for smuggling hashish. ^[1]
• 8 – 12 January – 2025 Supercopa de España ^[2]
• January 29 – A bus carrying foreign workers crashes into a trailer near Jizan, killing 15 people and injuring 11 others. ^[3]

February

• February 18 – Russia and the United States begin official discussions in Riyadh on ending the Russo-Ukrainian War. ^[4]

March

• March 20 –
  • The United States approves the sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems to Saudi Arabia for the first time. ^[5]
  • A bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia crashes along the Medina-Mecca highway in Wadi Qudaid, killing six people and injuring 14 others. ^[6]

April

• 27 April – The Qatari and Saudi Arabian finance ministries announce in a joint statement that they will pay off Syria's $15 million debt to the World Bank, ^[7] which is finalized on 16 May. ^[8]

June

• 14 June – Journalist Turki bin Abdulaziz al-Jasser is executed on charges of treason and terrorism after having been imprisoned since 2018. ^[9]

July

• 30 July – A circular carousel collapses at an amusement park in Al Hada, Taif, injuring 23 people. ^[10]

August

• 5 – 17 August – 2025 FIBA Asia Cup ^[11]

September

• 17 September – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign a mutual defence agreement. ^[12]
• 27 September – The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. ^[13]

October

• 10 October – The first direct passenger flight from Riyadh to Moscow, operated by Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia, lands at Sheremetyevo Airport. ^[14]
• 22 October – Salih al‑Fawzan is appointed Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia by King Salman. ^[15]

November

• 17 November – 2025 Medina bus crash: A bus carrying Indian pilgrims undertaking Umrah catches fire near Medina, killing 45 of the 46 people on board. ^[16]

December

• 1 December – Saudi Arabia and Russia sign an agreement on mutual visa exemption for each other's citizens. ^[17]
• 8 December — Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign an agreement to build a high-speed railway connecting Riyadh and Doha. ^[18]
• 21 December – The Saudi government awards Field Marshal Asim Munir, chief of defense forces of Pakistan, the country's highest national award, the King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class. ^[19]
• 26 December – The Royal Saudi Air Force begins a series of airstrikes against separatist forces in southern Yemen. ^[20]
• 30 December – Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council issue an ultimatum to the United Arab Emirates to end its support for southern separatists in Yemen, prompting the UAE to announce that it would withdraw its remaining security personnel from the country. ^[21]
• 31 December – Six Flags Qiddiya City officially opens to the public, with the Falcons Flight attraction breaking records as the worlds tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. ^{[22] [23]}

Deaths

• 19 July – Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud, 35, prince ^[24]
• 23 September – Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, 84, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia (since 1999) ^[25]

See also

• Saudi Arabia portal
• Current events portal
• Asia portal
• Modern history portal

• Saudi Arabia
• History of Saudi Arabia
• Outline of Saudi Arabia

References

1. "Saudi Arabia says it executes 6 Iranians for drug smuggling". AP News. 2025-01-02. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
2. "Este es el calendario para la próxima temporada 2024-25" [This is the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season.]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 2 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
3. "Saudi Arabia: Nine Indians among 15 killed in Jizan road crash". Gulf News. 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
4. Sauer, Pjotr; Harding, Luke; Smith, David (18 February 2025). "US and Russia agree to explore mutual opportunities of end to Ukraine war". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
5. "US approves first sale of laser-guided precision rockets to Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
6. "Six Indonesian Umrah pilgrims killed in Saudi bus accident". Antara News. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
7. Gharaibeh, Sara (27 April 2025). "Saudi Arabia, Qatar to Pay Syria's World Bank Debt, Unlocking Funds" . Bloomberg News . Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
8. Gharaibeh, Sara (16 May 2025). "World Bank says Saudi Arabia and Qatar have paid off Syria's outstanding debt". AP News . Retrieved 16 May 2025.
9. Levin, Gabe (15 June 2025). "Saudi Arabia executes a journalist after 7 years behind bars. Activists say it was over his tweets". AP News . Retrieved 16 May 2025.
10. "Fairground ride snaps mid-air in Saudi Arabia, injuring 23, state media reports". CNN . 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
11. Bacnis, Justine (7 December 2023). "Saudi Arabia awarded hosting of FIBA Asia Cup 2025". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
12. "Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign defense agreement to treat an attack on one as attack on both". AP News . 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
13. "26 new Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO's continues unprecedented expansion of its global network". UNESCO. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
14. Osborn, Andrew (10 October 2025). "First direct Riyadh–Moscow flight operated by Saudia lands in Russian capital amid warming ties". Reuters. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
15. "Saudi Arabia appoints Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan as kingdom's new grand mufti". Associated Press . 2025-10-23. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
16. "Dozens of Indian pilgrims killed in bus accident in Saudi Arabia". BBC . 2025-10-23. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
17. "Saudi Arabia and Russia Sign Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption". Saudi Press Agency. 1 December 2025.
18. "Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign high-speed rail deal to link capitals". Al Jazeera. 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
19. "Saudi Arabia awards Pakistan's powerful army chief highest national honor after defense pact". AP News. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
20. "Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against their forces". Associated Press . 2025-12-26. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
21. "UAE says it will withdraw from Yemen after Saudi strike on separatist-held port". BBC . 2025-12-30. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
22. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2627848/amp
23. https://www.zawya.com/en/world/middle-east/saudi-six-flags-qiddiya-city-opens-lsbixv8z
24. Ata, Huda (19 July 2025). "Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled dies after 20 years in coma". Gulf News. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
25. "Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has passed away: Royal Court". Al Arabiya English. 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-23.