Egypt, Saudi Arabia urge end to regional military operations, reject attempts to block waterways

CAIRO – 25 July 2026: Egypt and Saudi Arabia have called for an immediate halt to all military operations as they discussed efforts to de-escalate regional tensions on Saturday.

During a phone call, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, also stressed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and prevent any obstruction of international waterways.

The ministers called for prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to the crisis and enhancing coordination and consultation among Arab countries to help preserve regional security and stability.

They also reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, ensuring the security and safety of international maritime routes, and rejecting any attempts to obstruct transit through international waterways.

The discussions came amid heightened regional tensions fueled by the ongoing war in Iran and a series of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by recent Iran-backed Houthi attacks on Saudi maritime interests in the Red Sea and Tehran's ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening freedom of navigation along two of the world's most strategic waterways.