US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Maritime security has taken center stage in the diplomatic strategy of Saudi Arabia, which has asked that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and other international shipping routes be kept safe. These were stated by the country’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during his meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday. This announcement comes amid the ongoing tension between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has affected commercial shipping.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Saudi Arabia Pushes for Safe Shipping
According to Prince Faisal, marine security was one of the common priorities of Saudi Arabia and Japan moreover, he emphasized that diplomatic engagement was the preferred course for reducing the tensions in the region. This is an important point in time. Reuters reported that only six cargo ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, while nine did so on Monday, as well as a daily average of 11 recently.
For Saudi Arabia, the re-establishment of normal shipping is not merely a diplomatic goal and it is related to energy exports and insurance costs.
“The kingdom continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the resurgence of conflicts by focusing on comprehensive and sustainable diplomatic solutions that address the sources of instability in our region,” he said.
“We affirm that diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities, and we appreciate Japan’s role in supporting the principles of international law, its humanitarian and developmental contributions, and its stances in support of stability and peaceful solutions,” Faisal added.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Strait of Hormuz Carries Billions of Barrels
Strait of Hormuz continues to be one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world. According to EIA, the average oil flow through Hormuz was 20.9 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, accounting for about 20% of the global petroleum liquids consumption. The recent statistics highlight the strain caused by the ongoing crisis. EIA puts the total oil flow through Hormuz at 14.6 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026, down from 20.4 million barrels per day a year earlier.
“What is happening today in the West Bank is utterly disgraceful and should revolt us all. This is why we have sanctioned Minister Ben-Gvir, whose recent statements are intolerable and inhumane,” he wrote.
Posting on X excerpts of an interview with the Centre de France media group, Barrot said the statements made by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were “unacceptable and inhumane”.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Bab al-Mandeb Faces Its Own Risks
There is the challenge posed by the Bab al-Mandeb strait. According to EIA data, oil shipments via the strait have averaged 5.4 million barrels per day for the first quarter of 2026, an increase from 3.7 million barrels per day seen a year ago however, the shipping environment is vulnerable. Saudi oil shipments have not yet fully resumed at Bab al-Mandeb since the Houthi naval blockade declared in July, reports Reuters.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Diplomacy Becomes the Next Test
The attraction of Saudi Arabia to the situation emphasizes that the regional dispute has now become not only a military one but also a maritime and economic one. The kingdom calls for the focus on diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful solutions in order to avoid the escalation of the problem. It is now important to translate such diplomatic approach into safe passage of ships while only once the ships can pass through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb straits without fear will the tensions be resolved.
Disclaimer: This article uses official statements and publicly available shipping data. Maritime conditions and regional developments remain subject to rapid change.
