Saudi Arabia, Italy call for maritime security in Hormuz, Red Sea, condemn West Bank settler violence
ROME: Saudi Arabia and Italy on Wednesday called for the protection of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab and the Red Sea following a series of attacks and threats against vessels in waterways vital to global trade and energy supplies.
In a joint declaration following talks in Rome, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani stressed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden and international sea lanes in accordance with international law, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers opposed any unilateral action that could restrict maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz and acknowledged the contribution of the EU’s EUNAVFOR Aspides naval mission, particularly Italy’s role, in protecting merchant shipping.
Their statement came amid renewed threats to Saudi and international vessels in the Red Sea. Iran-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea last week, pledging a naval blockade on the Kingdom’s shipping and further raising concerns over navigation through Bab Al-Mandab, the narrow passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
