{
  "id": 10071800,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia calls for protection of international waterways, rejects restrictions on navigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/saudi-arabia-calls-for-protection-of-international-waterways-rejects",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T21:16:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664884/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-calls-for-protection-of-strait-of-hormuz-red-sea-and-international-waterways"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia urged the international community to safeguard freedom of navigation across vital waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Crown Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that the Kingdom rejects any attempts to use these waterways as tools for pressure, threats, or harm to other countries' interests. He highlighted that current crises stem from a failure to adhere to international principles and called for the fulfillment of responsibilities in confronting threats to peace and security.\n\nThe Saudi Foreign Minister stressed that the security of the Arabian Gulf is crucial for global energy security, international trade, and supply chains. He called for serious international cooperation to prevent risks that could impact the global economy. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full right to protect its security, sovereignty, and national assets, while urging the international community to fulfill its role in maintaining peace and security.\n\nPrince Faisal stressed the importance of addressing regional stability through mutual respect, shared interests, and good-neighborly relations, without domination or exploitation of crises. Saudi Arabia called for a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable approach to regional security, addressing all sources of threats and instability. The Kingdom also reiterated its opposition to weapons of mass destruction and called for peaceful nuclear programs to be subject to international monitoring and verification.\n\nTurning to the Palestinian issue, Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. He condemned attempts to alter the situation on Palestinian land and called for the implementation of international and humanitarian law. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to providing humanitarian and development assistance and welcomed the UN Security Council's condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels.\n\nSaudi Arabia also stressed the importance of preserving stability and unity in Sudan and Syria, welcoming the removal of Syria's designation as a \"state sponsor of terrorism.\" In Lebanon, Riyadh reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese state and its institutions, calling for weapons to be held exclusively by the state and preserving national sovereignty and stability. Lastly, Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Iraq's security, stability, and prosperity, welcoming efforts to consolidate security and ensure weapons remain under state control.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia on Saturday stressed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation across international waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, calling for conditions to return to what they were before Feb. 28 without the imposition of fees or restrictions.Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi foreign minister: Kingdom rejects use of waterways for blackmail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/saudi-foreign-minister-kingdom-rejects-use-of-waterways-for-blackmail",
        "published": "2026-09-26T16:48:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia calls for 'comprehensive' regional navigation security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/saudi-arabia-calls-for-comprehensive-regional-navigation-security",
        "published": "2026-09-27T01:36:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}