Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Iran ceasefire

Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran on April 8, praising Pakistan's mediation efforts and calling for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open without restrictions.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the kingdom commended "the productive efforts undertaken by the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in reaching this agreement."

Riyadh said it supported Pakistan's continued mediation to reach "a lasting agreement that achieves security and stability and addresses all issues that have resulted in instability and insecurity over the past decades."

The kingdom stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to navigation "in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, without any restrictions." The reference to the UN convention is notable given Iran's longstanding claim to exercise sovereign control over the waterway.

Saudi Arabia said it hoped the ceasefire would provide "an opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation" and halt "any aggression or policies that infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and stability of the region's countries."

The statement made no direct mention of Israel's role in the conflict or of the dispute over whether the ceasefire extends to Lebanon, where Israeli operations against Hezbollah have continued.

Saudi Arabia has been among the Gulf states most affected by the war. Iranian strikes have targeted Saudi energy infrastructure and the kingdom has intercepted dozens of missiles and drones since hostilities began on February 28. Riyadh signed a mutual defence agreement with Pakistan in September 2025.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad for talks on April 10.