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Asharq Al-Awsat
OrganisationSA

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi-owned pan-Arab daily with London HQ; corroborated Khamenei medical reporting and provides Iran coverage from Gulf perspective.

Last refreshed: 24 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why is a Saudi paper running the same Khamenei intelligence story as Israeli outlets?

Timeline for Asharq Al-Awsat

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Common Questions
What did Asharq Al-Awsat report about Khamenei?
Asharq Al-Awsat corroborated the April 2026 reports on Khamenei's medical condition, including his multiple surgeries and switch to handwritten courier communication, adding Saudi-perspective sourcing to Israeli media's original reporting.Source: https://english.aawsat.com/
Who owns Asharq Al-Awsat?
Asharq Al-Awsat is owned by the Saudi Research and Media Group, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman-affiliated media empire. It is one of the most influential Arabic-language newspapers for regional elite audiences.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asharq_Al-Awsat
Is Asharq Al-Awsat a reliable source on Iran?
Asharq Al-Awsat is considered a credible pan-Arab source for regional policymaker audiences. Its Saudi ownership means it has strong incentive to report accurately on Iranian leadership, though with a Saudi-allied framing.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asharq_Al-Awsat

Background

Asharq Al-Awsat ("The Middle East") is a pan-Arab daily newspaper founded in London in 1978 and owned by the Saudi Research and Media Group, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman-affiliated media empire. It is published simultaneously in multiple Arab capitals and is considered one of the most influential Arabic-language newspapers for regional elite and policymaker audiences.

Asharq Al-Awsat corroborated Israel Hayom and Ynet's reporting on Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's medical condition and courier-only communication method on 23-24 April 2026. The outlet is also a primary source for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) positioning on the Iran conflict, reflecting the Saudi state's information posture.

The paper's Gulf ownership means its Iran coverage is editorially aligned with Riyadh's strategic interests, which currently include pressuring Tehran while maintaining the diplomatic presence that distinguishes Saudi from the UAE's approach. The corroboration of Israeli intelligence-sourced Khamenei reporting by a Saudi-owned outlet is notable: it signals Riyadh and Tel Aviv are operating from the same intelligence picture on Iran's governance crisis.