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Sullivan in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Yemen, Iran

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)
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Sullivan in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Yemen, Iran

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)

US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan kicked off on Monday a tour of the Middle East, starting with Saudi Arabia where he is set to hold talks in Neom on Tuesday with senior officials.

Sullivan will be the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit Saudi Arabia since the president assumed office in January.

His talks will cover the Iranian nuclear file and efforts to make the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen accept peace initiatives and end the war.

National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said Sullivan was traveling to Riyadh on Monday and would also visit the United Arab Emirates.

He will be accompanied by Timothy Lenderking, the US envoy to Yemen, and National Security Council senior director for the Middle East Brett McGurk.

Former undersecretary at the Yemeni foreign ministry Mustafa al-Numan described Sullivan’s trip as the “most significant” in the course of the Yemen war.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the visit was a clear message that ending the conflict in Yemen was a priority to Biden as it is to Saudi Arabia.

The visit means that ending the war is a matter of US national security, he noted.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin planned to travel to Saudi Arabia earlier this month while he was in the region but postponed due to what the administration said were scheduling issues.

Sullivan had met in July with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Washington.

A statement at the time said they discussed the longstanding partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia, as well as regional security and Washington’s commitment to helping the Kingdom defend its territories against attacks launched by groups that are allied with Iran.

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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.”

Gulf

Saudi Shipping Company Bahri Says Two Filipino Sailors Killed in Incident in Hormuz

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Saudi Shipping Company Bahri Says Two Filipino Sailors Killed in Incident in Hormuz

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Saudi Arabia's national shipping company, Bahri, said on Wednesday that two Filipino seafarers were killed in a security incident involving its vessel SIDR as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz on August 31.

The company said in a statement that it continues to maintain constant communication with the vessel and is coordinating with the relevant authorities while monitoring developments in the incident.

Bahri emphasized that the safety of its crew members, protection of the marine environment, and safe management of its vessels remain its top priorities, at a time when shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is experiencing disruptions and escalating security risks.

SIDR was among two tankers involved in separate incidents occurring in close succession as they passed near the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime sources.