Saudi Arabia has voiced concern over the recent military escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s attacks on the UAE.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the ongoing escalation, calling for de-escalation and restraint.
Furthermore, the Kingdom called for supporting Pakistan’s mediation efforts and diplomacy to “reach a political solution that would prevent further tensions and instability, which do not serve the interests of the region or the world.”
Importantly, the statement reaffirmed the necessity of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to the status prior to the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28. It also demanded ensuring the safe and secure passage of vessels without restrictions.
On Monday, the US and Iran traded shots to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the UAE came under Iranian missile and drone attacks.
The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses had “engaged 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 UAV’s launched from Iran, resulting in 3 moderate injuries.”
In light of this, Saudi Arabia condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s targeting of “civilian and economic facilities” in the UAE. The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement the Kingdom’s solidarity with the UAE “in the measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
In another sign of solidarity, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman condemned the “unjustified Iranian attacks” in a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During the call, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed Saudi Arabia’s support for the UAE in its “defense of its security and stability.”
