RIYADH: The Saudi government reiterated that dialogue remains essential to achieving de-escalation, as news of progress in discussions were reported on Tuesday that could see a deal to end the conflict between the US and Iran.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chaired the weekly meeting of ministers in Jeddah, stressed the importance of making every effort to achieve calm as a pathway toward diplomatic solutions that safeguard regional security and stability.
Washington and Tehran have been engaged in an intense regional war since Feb. 28, when Israel and the US launched attacks on Iran, assassinating the country’s supreme leader.
A US officials talked up the prospect of securing a deal with Iran as soon as Wednesday that could see the Strait of Hormuz reopen.
The strait was closed by Iran after the collapse of a MoU signed by Washington and Tehran that briefly allow shipping to pass through the vital international waterway.
The crown prince briefed the cabinet on his weekend call with US President Donald Trump.
“His Royal Highness emphasised the necessity of prioritising dialogue to reduce tensions and the importance of exerting all possible efforts to achieve a truce that paves the way for diplomatic solutions,” SPA reported on Saturday shortly after the leaders spoke.
The cabinet also welcomed the growing international support for, and participation in, the multinational defensive maritime coalition launched by Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom and 13 other countries established the coalition on Thursday, which aims at protecting shipping in key waterways of the Middle East.
The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition is part of efforts to enhance maritime security, protect international sea lanes, and confront threats targeting maritime navigation and global trade, the Kingdom’s defense ministry said.
The coalition reflects the Kingdom’s leading role in strengthening regional and international security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It reinforces multilateral cooperation among nations, and establishing a framework to protect international shipping lanes, trade routes and energy supplies from escalating threats in the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
