Egypt's FM, his Saudi counterpart stress importance of freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz

CAIRO - 13 July 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.

They emphasized the need to ensure the security and safety of international maritime navigation, prevent any obstruction to shipping, and reject any attempts to impose restrictions on passage through international waterways, warning that such acts would have negative consequences for the global economy and energy security.

The two ministers also renewed their condemnation of repeated Iranian attacks targeting several Arab countries, including the Gulf states and Jordan.

They described the attacks as a blatant violation of state sovereignty and a serious threat to regional security and stability, stressing the need for an immediate halt to all escalatory acts that could further widen the conflict.

The remarks came during a phone contact between the two foreign ministers as part of ongoing consultations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on bilateral relations and regional developments.

They praised the continued progress in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in a manner that serves the common interests of the two brotherly peoples.

The ministers also exchanged views on regional efforts aimed at de-escalation and discussed the role of the regional quartet comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan as an important platform for consultation, coordination, and support for initiatives aimed at containing tensions and promoting security and stability across the region.

They commended the continued momentum in Egyptian-Saudi relations across various fields under the guidance of the political leaderships of both countries.

The phone call also tackled several other regional issues, including developments in Sudan, Libya, and the Red Sea.

The two ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination on regional issues of mutual concern in support of regional security and stability.