Saudi Arabia Rejects Houthi Accusations, Vows to Protect Security and Shipping

Saudi Arabia's Cabinet, chaired by King Salman in Jeddah, strongly rejected what it called baseless allegations from the Houthi militia. The Cabinet on Tuesday pledged firm action to safeguard the kingdom's security and maritime navigation. It said the Houthis' involvement in regional conflicts has worsened the suffering of Yemeni people and threatened stability. Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Yemen's legitimate government and said it would take necessary measures to protect its vessels under international law. The Cabinet also expressed solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan over Iranian attacks that violate international law, calling for an end to military escalation. It reviewed a phone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who thanked Saudi Arabia for its support for Lebanon. Saudi Arabia's achievements were highlighted at UN forums, including progress in water security, renewable energy, healthcare, and digital government. The Cabinet welcomed a 53% increase in foreign direct investment to $32.6 billion in 2025, ranking Saudi Arabia 13th globally, driven by economic reforms. Among decisions, the Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement with the United Nations on peaceful space use, adopted unified GCC rules for jointly owned properties, and transferred authority for chemical import permits to multiple ministries. It also endorsed better coordination between nuclear and cancer oversight bodies.