Saudi Crown Prince and Pakistani Prime Minister Review De-escalation Efforts

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. At the outset of the call, the Pakistani prime minister reiterated his country’s condemnation and denunciation of the attack launched by the Houthi militia on a Saudi vessel, as well as its threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, affirming Pakistan’s firm and unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the call also reviewed recent developments in the regional situation and efforts to de-escalate tensions and enhance security and stability in the region. Earlier, the General Authority for Transport in Saudi Arabia announced that the Encelia, a vessel owned by a Saudi company, was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the ship’s bow.

Citing a senior official in the Authority, SPA reported that all crew members were safe, noting that relevant authorities had taken all necessary measures to secure the vessel and its crew and to protect the marine environment. The official described these attacks as violations of international laws and customs ensuring the safety of commercial ships and their crews.

For his part, US President Donald Trump stated that a major military punishment would be inflicted on Iran and the terrorist Houthi militia if their attacks in the Red Sea were repeated. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “A year ago, the United States launched a very strong attack on the Houthis due to their interference in trade and firing on ships. Since then, and during our conflict with Iran, the Houthis behaved with great responsibility.”

He added, “But unfortunately, they are doing it again now, firing on two Saudi ships. I hope this fact serves as a warning: if they repeat this act, the United States will hold Iran responsible—considering the Houthis a party acting on behalf of Iran or as its agent—and will impose severe military sanctions on Iran, and of course on the Houthis themselves.”

In another statement to Axios, Trump said the Iranians want to negotiate but are not currently prepared to reach an agreement and have not yet felt enough pain. He added, “I am considering launching a larger attack on Iran than ever before, and I am about to make the decision, and we are ready for it.”

For its part, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “the Sultanate of Oman is closely following recent developments related to the situation in the Red Sea region, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding escalation and any threats that could exacerbate the situation and endanger freedom of navigation.” In a statement carried by the Oman News Agency, it affirmed that the Sultanate is currently working “in coordination with brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemeni parties, and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen to resume the political process and roadmap to achieve security and stability in the region.”

The Kingdom of Bahrain expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the heinous terrorist attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militia targeting the ship. In a statement, the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and a serious threat to maritime navigation security, international trade, and energy supplies. The ministry affirmed Bahrain’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its complete support for the legitimate measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, security, stability, and vital interests. It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities in putting an end to these terrorist attacks.

Similarly, Qatar strongly condemned the Houthi group’s targeting of a Saudi ship, deeming it a serious violation of international navigation safety, a direct threat to global energy supply security, and a clear and explicit breach of international law rules. In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the continuation of these unacceptable attacks represents a dangerous escalation threatening the security and stability of the region and efforts to consolidate regional security and stability. The ministry called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, affirming that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a fundamental principle of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ministry renewed Qatar’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates also strongly condemned the terrorist attack by the Houthi militia on the Encelia ship. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this attack poses a serious threat to the safety and security of international navigation and constitutes a dangerous escalation aimed at undermining the security and stability of vital waterways in the world. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the ministry called on the international community to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, affirming that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It affirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures that preserve its security and stability.

Meanwhile, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas called on the Houthi rebels to “stop” attacking ships in the Red Sea after they targeted a Saudi oil tanker. In a statement, Kallas described the attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea as “unacceptable and illegal, and it fuels the already tense situation in the region.”