On Saturday, Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of ensuring the protection of freedom of navigation in all international waterways, most notably the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and the return of conditions to normal as they were before February 28, and not imposing any fees or restrictions, stressing its refusal for any party to use these vital waterways as a tool for pressure, threat, or harming the interests of countries.
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said when he delivered his country’s speech before the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, that the holding of the 81st session comes at a time when crises and conflicts continue in many regions of the world, increasing the need to adhere to the principles of the United Nations Charter, respect international law, and enhance the effectiveness of international institutions, in a way that contributes to maintaining international peace and security, and achieving development and peace.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan explained that the current crises do not result from the absence of resources or opportunities as much as they result from the absence of commitment to the principles agreed upon by the international community, pointing to the direct Iranian attacks that Saudi Arabia and the countries of the region have been subjected to, targeting their security, capabilities, and civil and economic facilities.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full right to protect its security, sovereignty, citizens, residents of its lands and national capabilities, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities in confronting everything that threatens international peace and security.
The Saudi Foreign Minister stressed that the security of the Arabian Gulf is an integral part of the security of the region and the world, as it is directly linked to global energy security, the continuity of international trade, the sustainability of global supply chains, and the protection of navigation, all of which are a shared responsibility that requires serious international cooperation to prevent the global economy from being exposed to risks that affect the entire world.
Prince Faisal pointed out that efforts to restore security and stability in the region and build sustainable relations between its countries cannot be based on hegemony, imposing influence, or exploiting crises, but rather on mutual respect, common interests, good neighbourliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, and full commitment to international and humanitarian law.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for efforts and initiatives that contribute to reducing the escalation, most notably the efforts of Qatar, Pakistan, and sisterly and friendly countries, aimed at restoring stability to the region and creating appropriate conditions for dialogue and diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of any arrangements related to the security of the region being comprehensive, fair and sustainable, and that they deal clearly with the sources of threat and instability, and the necessity of making the Middle East region completely free of weapons of mass destruction, and that peaceful nuclear programs be subject to international oversight, verification and guarantees, in a way that enhances confidence and preserves regional and international security.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that the continued suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Israeli occupation’s targeting of civilians, obstructing the arrival of humanitarian aid, attempts at forced displacement, and the continuation of illegal settlement expansion, represent serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia rejects all attempts to change the reality of the Palestinian land, and that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed the importance of supporting efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution that guarantees the stability of Yemen, supports its economy, and alleviates the human suffering of its people, noting that Saudi Arabia has provided humanitarian and development aid to Yemen exceeding $29 billion, and has ranked first among donors to humanitarian aid in 2025.
The Saudi Foreign Minister expressed his country's welcome of the statement issued by the Security Council, and its condemnation of the missile and drone attacks launched by the terrorist Houthi militia against the Kingdom and commercial ships.
Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to reject and condemn the militia’s criminal attacks and its efforts to threaten the security of navigation in the Red Sea, which constitutes a threat to regional and international security and stability.
Regarding the Sudanese issue, Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of Sudan’s stability, and preserving its unity, territorial integrity, capabilities, and national institutions, noting that the solution to the crisis is a Sudanese-Sudanese political solution that respects the country’s sovereignty and unity, and is based on supporting Sudanese state institutions, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the Sudanese people, alleviates their human suffering, and enhances their security and stability.
Saudi Arabia also renewed its support for everything that would enhance Syria’s security, stability, and territorial integrity, welcoming the United States’ announcement to cancel the classification of Syria as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” because of its role in enabling Syria to carry out reconstruction and development efforts, and stressing its rejection of any violations that undermine Syria’s stability or affect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Riyadh affirmed its support for the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions to implement the “Taif Agreement,” restrict weapons to the state, and preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, in addition to everything that contributes to achieving security, stability, and prosperity for Iraq and its people. It looks forward to the constructive steps taken by the Iraqi government to establish security, independence of decision-making, and confine weapons to the state.
