United Nations, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has called for the Strait of Hormuz to return to the conditions prevailing before February 28, with no fees or restrictions on navigation, as he stressed the importance of keeping vital international waterways open.
Addressing the general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Faisal called for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He rejected the use of these waterways by any party as a means of exerting pressure or issuing threats. Saudi Arabia’s position was also reported by Saudi Gazette following the minister’s address.
Faisal said the security and stability of the Gulf were closely linked to global security, energy supplies, international trade and supply chains. He also said Riyadh supported efforts aimed at reducing tensions and stressed the importance of keeping the region free of weapons of mass destruction.
The call came amid continuing disruption around the strategic waterway following the conflict that began on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global energy shipments, making its security a significant concern for oil-producing countries and international markets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said earlier that Tehran had conveyed a “concrete” seven-day plan to the United States through Qatar under which normal maritime passage through the strait could be restored within seven days if specified conditions were met.
According to Araghchi, the proposed timeline would begin once Washington accepted the plan. He said the United States would need to take certain steps during the first four or five days, after which the strait could reopen on the sixth day, followed by talks on the seventh day aimed at reaching a broader agreement.
The Iranian proposal reportedly includes conditions related to the US naval blockade, oil sanctions and a ceasefire.
The developments have placed the future of navigation through Hormuz at the centre of diplomatic discussions at the UN General Assembly, with Saudi Arabia pressing for unrestricted navigation and Iran linking reopening of the waterway to wider diplomatic arrangements.
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