ع
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivered the annual royal address on behalf of King Salman at the opening of the third year of the Shura Council’s ninth session in Riyadh on Wednesday, underlining that the Kingdom exerts every possible effort to de-escalate regional tensions and back diplomatic solutions. He stated that Saudi Arabia will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threat or aggression aimed at its security, according to the text of the speech. The Crown Prince highlighted the country’s high-efficiency human and military capabilities that can confront and deter threats from any source, praising the readiness of its forces. In the address, he expressed pride in Saudi personnel who confront all forms of threats with vigilance and continuous preparedness.
The Crown Prince told the Shura Council that attacks targeting all Gulf Cooperation Council states confirm that Gulf security and stability form one indivisible whole. He added that the Kingdom works with its counterparts to preserve Gulf security, seek strategic cooperation and achieve economic integration while continuing to implement the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that this approach strengthens joint action to meet the council’s objectives and the aspirations of its citizens. The speech also announced the establishment of the Makkah Defense Pact with Turkiye and Pakistan to promote regional security and stability.
Recent Houthi militia missile launches toward Saudi cities provided the immediate backdrop to the security remarks, with the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reporting that air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki stated that the systems thwarted the attempt to strike civilian facilities in both cities. Military expert Maj. Gen. Sultan Al-Otaibi told Al-Ekhbariya that Saudi restraint must not be misinterpreted as complacency and that the Kingdom reserves the right to respond at any time. The GCC Secretary General condemned the assaults as desperate and treacherous, calling for an international stance to deter further aggression.
The address reviewed 10 years of Vision 2030, which according to the speech has realized 93 percent of its performance indicators across programs and strategies thanks to the efforts of Saudi citizens. Prince Mohammed bin Salman described the upcoming 300th anniversary of the state’s founding as a milestone rooted in the principles of monotheism and justice drawn from the Quran and Sunnah. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s role as a global energy security valve, maintaining oil supplies to international markets despite regional escalation. The Crown Prince also announced the creation of a multinational naval defense alliance to protect shared interests in international sea lanes.
Saudi Arabia continues to support the legitimate government in Yemen through the coalition, working to restore stability and counter Houthi terrorist attacks that have chosen chaos over peace, the Crown Prince said. He renewed the Kingdom’s commitment to Sudanese unity, stability and legitimate institutions while sparing its people the tragedies of war. In the speech, Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned ongoing aggression in Gaza and violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging the international community to advance a permanent political solution. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s steadfast position on Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent state based on international references.
