Saudi Foreign Minister Tells BRICS Summit GCC States Will Not Accept Targeting of Territories or Vital Interests Under Any Pretext, Warns Continued Escalation Risks Widening Crisis

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sunday that Saudi Arabia's national security, territorial integrity and resources are non-negotiable and that Gulf Cooperation Council member states will not accept the targeting of their territories, facilities or vital interests under any pretext or designation. Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Faisal said the priority in light of current regional developments should be to de-escalate tensions and create space for political and diplomatic efforts, warning that continued fighting risks widening the crisis. Prince Faisal stressed the need to maintain freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and other maritime waterways, stating that the stability of these waterways is directly linked to energy security and international trade flows. Any disruption will have consequences that extend beyond the region to impact global markets, supply chains and economic growth, he said. GCC states have repeatedly called for the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and rejected restrictions, fees or unilateral arrangements governing passage through the waterway. Prince Faisal added that security in the Arabian Gulf cannot be achieved without respect for the sovereignty and independence of all states in the region. The statement came after a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. A Houthi projectile fell in a border area near Yemen along the Red Sea on Saturday night, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and several other buildings, according to Saudi civil defense. Earlier in the week, drones launched from Iraq struck Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, forcing its closure and cutting 700,000 barrels per day of export capacity. Following the BRICS speech, Prince Faisal held a phone call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in which the two ministers stressed the need to align positions and strength