Saudi foreign minister and European counterparts discuss threats to shipping in Red Sea and Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke Tuesday with the foreign ministers of Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece about Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping and steps to reduce broader Middle East tensions.

The Red Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade, has seen a surge in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, prompting international concern.

During separate phone conversations, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani denounced Houthi threats against southern Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Giorgos Gerapetritis of Greece reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments in the region with Prince Faisal. 

The foreign ministers stressed the need to maintain maritime security in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and they opposed any actions that threaten safe navigation.

Prince Faisal also spoke with Germany’s Johann Wadephul about the security and economic implications of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

On Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry criticized a Houthi military spokesperson's assertion that the group had established a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, and it charged the Houthis with pulling Yemen deeper into the regional conflict.

Houthi attacks on international commercial shipping in the Red Sea have worsened the situation of the Yemeni people by limiting their ability to travel and causing economic conditions in areas controlled by the armed group to deteriorate, the ministry added.

The Kingdom called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 on Yemen itself, and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks have not only disrupted shipping but also worsened the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, as noted by the Saudi Foreign Ministry. The UN Security Council has passed Resolution 2722 to protect freedom of navigation. These diplomatic engagements highlight Saudi Arabia's leadership in regional security and its efforts to align with European partners. The ongoing US-Iran tensions add another layer of complexity to the situation, as discussed in Prince Faisal's call with Germany.