G7 foreign ministers demand immediate halt to Houthi attacks on Saudi maritime routes

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven convened in Riyadh on 22 September 2026 to issue a unified statement condemning the Houthi militia’s recent missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels near Saudi Arabia. They called for an immediate cessation of all hostile actions targeting civilian shipping and demanded that Iran stop supplying weapons to the Yemeni group. In the joint communiqué, the ministers highlighted the strategic importance of the Red Sea corridor for international trade, noting that disruptions could affect the flow of oil and container traffic between Europe and Asia. The statement also warned that any continuation of the attacks would trigger a coordinated response, including possible naval patrols by member states. Iranian officials have so far denied direct involvement, but the G7’s explicit accusation marks a shift from previous diplomatic language to a more confrontational stance. Analysts predict that Tehran may face renewed sanctions from the United States and the European Union if evidence of arms transfers emerges. The broader regional implications are significant: Saudi Arabia has already bolstered its coastal defenses, and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy announced plans to increase its presence in the Gulf of Aden. The outcome of this diplomatic push will likely shape the security dynamics of the Red Sea for the coming months.