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Saudi Arabia Stresses Centrality of Palestinian Cause for Arab World

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Centrality of Palestinian Cause for Arab World

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil affirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause for the Arab world, saying achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East requires ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.

In a statement delivered on behalf of the Arab Group during a high-level Security Council meeting on the Middle East, Alwasil also referred to recent Iranian attacks targeting several Gulf states and Jordan, describing them as violations of the principles of good neighborliness, international law, and the United Nations Charter.

He stressed the need to respect state sovereignty and avoid actions that threaten regional security and stability.

He further condemned the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon, reaffirming rejection of any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty or targeting of its army, and stressing the importance of complying with international resolutions and respecting states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Alwasil also denounced repeated Israeli incursions and attacks on Syrian territory, stressing the Arab Group’s rejection of such violations, which undermine Syria’s sovereignty and threaten regional security and stability.

He emphasized the importance of political solutions, dialogue, and mediation as the most effective means of addressing regional crises and resolving conflicts peacefully, thereby contributing to security, stability, and development for the peoples of the Middle East.

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Gulf

Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition has begun operations from its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan’s Commodore Rashid Sheikh taking up his post as deputy commander.

Liaison officers from member states and countries completing accession procedures have also started work at the headquarters. Others will follow in stages, based on the number of posts allocated to each country.

The move follows the completion of arrangements to activate the coalition’s bodies, approved at its third planning meeting in Jeddah in August and attended by representatives from 39 countries.

It marks the start of the coalition’s institutional and operational phase and the integration of member states’ military capabilities, while other countries finalize accession procedures.

Work on the coalition’s institutional structure has also advanced rapidly. Saudi Arabia has appointed its commander, while members agreed that the first deputy commander would come from Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia announced the coalition in late July as an international defensive initiative open to all countries.

It aims to strengthen maritime security, protect international waterways and global trade, and counter emerging threats. Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri was appointed coalition commander.

The coalition is a strategic step toward protecting shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

It is founded on the principle that securing international waterways is a collective responsibility requiring coordinated action against growing threats.

Membership remains open to interested countries.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting and leadership of the coalition reflects the Kingdom’s role in strengthening regional and international security and building effective alliances to deter and confront shared maritime threats.

The coalition seeks to safeguard freedom of navigation, secure trade routes, supply chains and energy resources, and protect shared maritime interests across the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The coalition operates under the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. It is exclusively defensive, does not target any country or organization, fully respects state sovereignty and safeguards freedom of navigation.

Gulf

Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
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Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)

Qatar strongly condemned on Wednesday Iran's attack on the Saudi tanker SIDR in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths among the crew.

It slammed the strike as a blatant violation of international maritime law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs “categorically rejected the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded its unconditional reopening.”

The ministry emphasized that “freedom of navigation in the vital waterway is a non-negotiable principle”.

It warned that its continued closure jeopardizes regional security and the global economy.

Demanding an immediate halt to Iran's unjustified aggression, the ministry stressed Doha's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed unequivocal support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its national assets.”

Jordan also condemned the attack, saying it was a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to the security and safety of global maritime navigation.

In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates underlined the country's “absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing full support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its security, stability, and national resources.”

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the attack, slamming it as a “dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law, and a direct threat to the security and safety of international maritime navigation.”

He warned that the attack exposes regional security and stability and the flow of global trade to “grave risks”.

Albudaiwi underscored that the GCC member states stand firmly with Saudi Arabia in every measure to safeguard its security and protect its interests.

Gulf

Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Iran for attacking a Saudi vessel, SIDR, as it sailed the Hormuz Strait and the resulting loss of life among the crew.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also condemns the Iranian attacks against Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia “stands by the fraternal states and the measures they take to protect their security and sovereignty against any threat,” it added.

The Kingdom “underscored the need to stop the escalation and respect international marine lanes and their safety, as well as the global energy supplies.”

It urged “good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of nations, the UN Charter and international laws and norms.”

The Kingdom “called on all parties to restore calm, end the escalation, respect international law, return to the negotiations and turn to peaceful solutions.”