Saudi Govt Praises Growing Int’l Support for Maritime Defense Alliance

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Praises Growing Int’l Support for Maritime Defense Alliance

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government praised on Tuesday the growing support for the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, which stems from Saudi Arabia's leading role in consolidating regional and global stability.

Announced last week, the alliance aims to build a multilateral framework to protect shipping lanes, trade routes, and energy supplies from escalating threats in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent telephone call with US President Donald Trump, during which they addressed regional developments and their multifaceted repercussions. Saudi Arabia stressed the urgent need to prioritize dialogue to de-escalate tensions and achieve a truce, paving the way toward diplomatic solutions that preserve regional security and stability.

The Crown Prince also briefed the Cabinet of his telephone calls with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The discussions explored avenues to expand bilateral cooperation across various fields and addressed topics of mutual interest.

On Gaza, the Cabinet hoped that the historic agreement on the decommissioning of weapons in the Palestinian enclave will serve as the catalyst for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Plan, guaranteeing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

Ministers are seen at the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Cabinet praised the pivotal diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, the US, and Board of Peace in achieving this milestone.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to supporting and expanding its humanitarian and relief efforts through hosting the fifth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum next April. The forum has become a leading global platform for advancing international humanitarian cooperation, building sustainable strategic partnerships, and facilitating the delivery of aid to people in need worldwide.

The Cabinet reviewed reports and indicators related to a number of national programs and strategies, commending the achievements of the Pilgrim Experience Program, as well as the continuous development resulting from its numerous initiatives and projects, which reflect the enduring commitment of Saudi Arabia and its leadership to caring for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's longstanding dedication to providing the highest-quality services to pilgrims and Umrah performers and mobilizing every effort, capability, and resource to ensure their comfort from arrival until departure.

The Cabinet welcomed the International Monetary Fund's 2026 Article IV Consultation report, which affirmed the resilience of the Kingdom's economy and its ability to adapt to challenges, citing its strong economic fundamentals, diversified infrastructure, sound long-term fiscal planning, financial and monetary stability, and structural reforms implemented under Saudi Vision 2030.

The report noted that these reforms have driven a full decade of economic transformation by strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing performance and economic diversification, improving healthcare and education indicators, and enabling the achievement of a number of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives ahead of schedule.



Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
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Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)

Oil pollution is affecting about 12 kilometres (7.46 miles) of coastline near Oman's Ras Madraka, while Masirah Island remains unaffected, state news agency ONA said on Saturday after efforts to tackle a spill from a leaking tanker have made progress.

Oil began reaching Oman's coast on Wednesday after spreading at sea for weeks, Reuters reported.

The Environment Authority said response operations were under way and the offshore slick was moving towards open waters.


ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported.

This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull on Friday. It was not immediately clear if it was the ADNOC vessel.

Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Repeated Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Repeated Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the targeting of two ADNOC tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing repeated Iranian attacks against commercial vessels as reprehensible.

In a statement, the ministry stressed that these repeated attacks constitute a dangerous escalation, a direct threat to maritime navigation safety and global energy security, and a grave violation of international law, SPA reported.

It noted that the aggression blatantly defies UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms the freedom of commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and condemns any actions obstructing it.

Holding Iran fully responsible for the consequences of its ongoing violations, the Kingdom demanded an immediate halt to these attacks and adherence to international laws. It emphasized that regional security and maritime safety are shared responsibilities, warning that continuing such actions is intolerable.

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, affirming its steadfast support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and resources.