Saudi Cabinet calls for unrestricted navigation through Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea
RIYADH, Sept. 29, 2026 — Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet called on Tuesday for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, saying the waterways must not be used to threaten states or harm their interests.
The Cabinet said conditions in the Strait of Hormuz should return to those prevailing before Feb. 28, without fees or restrictions, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency after a session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Cabinet welcomed a statement by members of the United Nations Security Council condemning continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels. It said the attacks threatened navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab and undermined efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
The Crown Prince briefed ministers on calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. He also reported on a meeting with UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussions covered bilateral ties and regional security, SPA said.
The Cabinet noted work to establish the general secretariat and committees of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. It also reviewed meetings among Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish foreign ministers and military chiefs on putting the agreement’s commitments into effect.
On Palestinian issues, the Cabinet condemned assaults by Israeli officials and extremist settlers on Al-Aqsa Mosque and reaffirmed its support for an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Ministers also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s participation in the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session, its financial support for programmes run by the UN Counter-Terrorism Center, and reports on education and training quality.
The Cabinet approved an agreement exempting Saudi and Turkish holders of diplomatic and special passports from visa requirements. It also approved an anti-corruption cooperation memorandum with Syria.
It authorised the culture minister to discuss and sign a proposed cooperation memorandum with the Smithsonian Institution and the health minister to do the same for a proposed agreement with Djibouti. The finance minister was authorised to approve lists of prohibited, restricted and special-category goods agreed within the Gulf Cooperation Council framework.
