Saudi and Egyptian Leaders Demand Red Sea Navigation Freedom

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a state visit in Cairo on September 15, 2026, to coordinate regional security following a Houthi offensive in Yemen. The leaders demanded the restoration of free navigation in the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait after Houthi forces seized Yemen's Red Sea coast and declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

The summit follows intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, including a strike on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait that injured 13 civilians. Saudi Arabia responded with approximately 50 strikes and warned of firm reactions to further aggression. The instability has pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel and severely impacted Egypt's economy; Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reported Suez Canal revenues fell to $4.67 billion for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, with total losses estimated at $11 billion.

Beyond maritime security, the leaders pledged support for a two-state solution in Palestine and the territorial integrity of Sudan. While President al-Sisi affirmed that Saudi security is integral to Egypt's national security, reports indicate Cairo remains hesitant to enter a direct military conflict. Meanwhile, Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei rejected negotiations until Iranian conditions are met, and the United Nations reported that 100,000 people have been internally displaced by the renewed fighting in Yemen.