Saudi Arabia Calls for International Action to Protect Navigation... Warns of Houthi Attack Consequences

Saudi Arabia has called for joint international action to protect sea lanes and ensure freedom of navigation, warning against the use of straits as tools for political and military pressure or their transformation into arenas for conflict and competition, amid threats to the movement of ships and international trade and rising tensions in the region.

During the session “Maritime Security at a Critical Turning Point,” held within the framework of the “Bahrain Dialogue 2026” forum, Saudi General Staff Vice Chairman Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili emphasized that “the security of sea lanes and freedom of navigation is a shared responsibility of the international community, and threats facing these lanes affect the interests of all countries, necessitating an effective collective response.”

He stressed that “maritime straits must not be turned into instruments of pressure or escalation,” affirming that “maritime security is not the responsibility of a single state, and force cannot replace the rule of law.”

He clarified that “the Saudi vision for maritime security is based on respecting the sovereignty and rights of states, ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation, rejecting attacks on civilian and military vessels, and adhering to international law as the foundation for resolving disputes and preventing confrontations.”

Al-Ghufaili warned against turning political differences between countries into threats to global navigation and trade, noting that “protecting sea lanes cannot be achieved by military capabilities alone; it requires transparency, adherence to international rules, and the provision of communication channels and mechanisms for de-escalation during crises.”

He called for adopting a comprehensive concept of maritime security, based on prevention and early detection of threats, enhancing coordination among states, and exchanging intelligence and expertise, thereby enabling the handling of risks before they escalate into crises threatening regional security and international interests.

He underscored the importance of protecting ships and ports and securing navigation routes through international cooperation that combines defensive capabilities with commitment to international law, preventing the use of sea lanes in political and military conflicts.

Al-Ghufaili stressed that the importance of maritime straits and sea lanes transcends the borders of coastal states, given their connection to global trade and supply chains, affirming the necessity for them to remain areas of cooperation and coordination among states, free from conflicts and military competition.