The Kingdom affirms its firm response to attacks and the protection of its security and national assets, and calls on Iraq to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks

2027 designated the “Year of Water,” digital real estate registration system transferred to the Real Estate General Authority, agreements with Egypt, Kuwait, and Qatar, and agricultural cooperation with Syria

Jeddah | BETH

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held today in Jeddah.

The Cabinet condemned in the strongest terms the attacks carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias in Yemen and Iraq against oil facilities in the Riyadh and Eastern regions and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. It affirmed that the Kingdom will not tolerate threats to its security, interests, and national assets, and will respond firmly to hostile acts in accordance with international law and the principle of proportionality.

The Cabinet stressed that the Iraqi government must take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for aggression, while Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure the security of waterways in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

On domestic affairs, the Cabinet reviewed the development of public education, the results achieved by the Quality of Life Program, and the Kingdom’s regional leadership in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index. It also designated 2027 as the “Year of Water” and approved the transfer of digital and operational real estate registration services to the Real Estate General Authority.

From the Session

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his calls with the Emir of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Strong condemnation of attacks by Iranian-backed militias operating from Yemen and Iraq.

Affirmation of the Kingdom’s right to protect its security and interests and respond firmly to hostile acts.

A call for the Iraqi government to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks.

Continued Saudi efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect navigation in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

Emphasis on building a regional order that respects state sovereignty, non-interference, and good-neighborly relations.

Commendation of the Public Education Law and its role in developing and governing the sector.

The Quality of Life Program exceeds its economic and development targets.

The Kingdom ranks first regionally in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index for the fourth consecutive year.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt grant mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements to holders of diplomatic and special passports.

Saudi-Kuwaiti cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

Discussions on agricultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Saudi-Qatari cooperation in food security.

2027 designated the “Year of Water.”

The digital and operational real estate registration system transferred to the Real Estate General Authority within six months.

Procedures for the amicable settlement of labor disputes extended for an additional year.

Full Report

The Kingdom’s Security and Response to the Attacks

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the substance of his telephone calls with His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait; Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif; and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The calls addressed developments in the regional situation and efforts to strengthen the region’s security and stability.

The Cabinet condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by Iranian-backed terrorist militias in Yemen and Iraq against oil facilities in the Riyadh and Eastern regions and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

It affirmed that the Kingdom will not tolerate threats to its security, interests, and national assets, and will respond firmly to any hostile acts in accordance with the provisions and customary rules of international humanitarian law and the principle of proportionality.

The Cabinet stressed the need for the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure that its territory is not used as a launchpad for aggression. It also expressed appreciation for the positions of countries and international organizations that condemned the attacks, which Saudi air defenses confronted with full efficiency and capability.

De-escalation and the Protection of Waterways

The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s continuing efforts, through communication and consultation with brotherly and friendly countries, to de-escalate tensions, contain regional instability, and ensure the security of waterways in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

It affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to consolidating dialogue and diplomacy and strengthening joint international action at a pivotal regional moment that requires the establishment of an order based on the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

These principles include preserving state sovereignty, refraining from interference in internal affairs, respecting good-neighborly relations, ensuring freedom of navigation, and complying with international law.

Public Education Law

The Cabinet reviewed the continuing development of the performance of state sectors and agencies, the enhancement of services provided to citizens, and the issuance of laws and decisions aligned with the Kingdom’s development objectives.

It affirmed that the Public Education Law represents a significant advancement in the development and governance of the sector by providing the necessary enablers to improve the quality of the educational environment and its outcomes and regulating the participation of the private and nonprofit sectors in support of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Quality of Life Exceeds Its Targets

The Cabinet commended the Quality of Life Program for achieving results that exceeded the economic and development targets established for its strategic initiatives.

The program continued to contribute to non-oil gross domestic product, develop services across cities, and advance the cultural, sports, entertainment, and tourism sectors toward new horizons, further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as an attractive global destination.

The Kingdom Leads in Digital Services

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s ranking as the regional leader for the fourth consecutive year in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

The top ranking reflects the Kingdom’s progress in developing procedures and digital platforms, adopting emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and establishing an advanced model for doing business and strengthening the competitiveness of the digital economy.

Cabinet Decisions

Saudi Arabia and Egypt

Approval of an agreement providing mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

Approval of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

Saudi Arabia and Syria

Authorization for the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, or his deputy, to hold discussions with the Syrian side regarding a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation and to sign it.

Plant Health

Authorization for the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, or his deputy, to hold discussions with the Near East and North Africa Plant Protection Organization regarding an agreement on cooperation in plant health and to sign it.

Food Security

Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom’s General Food Security Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality for cooperation in food security.

Year of Water

Approval of the designation of 2027 as the “Year of Water.”

Real Estate Registration

The transfer of digital and operational services directly associated with real estate registration to the Real Estate General Authority within six months, including their technological infrastructure, operational teams, and data.

These services include:

The Real Estate Exchange platform.

The Real Estate Exchange mobile application.

The comprehensive system.

The data indexing system.

The document digitization system.

The basic data entry system.

Labor Disputes

Extension for one year of the requirement to submit labor disputes to the labor office for amicable settlement procedures before filing a claim with the labor court.

Final Accounts

Approval of the final accounts for two previous fiscal years for:

The Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority.

The General Food Security Authority.

The National Risk Council.

The National Community Development Program in the Regions.

The National Information Technology Development Program.

Umm Al-Qura University.

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.

Annual Reports and Promotion

The Cabinet issued the necessary directives regarding items on its agenda, including the annual reports of King Faisal University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the Islamic University of Madinah.

It also approved the promotion of Abdulsalam bin Nasser Abdulsalam to the position of Director General at Grade 15 at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

BETH Analysis | Diplomacy Does Not Preclude a Response

The Cabinet session brings together two complementary tracks in the Saudi position:

Continuing efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the war from expanding, while simultaneously retaining the right to respond firmly to attacks.

This approach distinguishes between the desire to protect regional stability and allowing militias to exploit de-escalation to target the Kingdom and its interests.

The call for the Iraqi government to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks also shifts responsibility beyond the condemnation of the militia alone to the state’s duty to control its territory and prevent it from becoming a base for attacks against neighboring countries.

Domestically, the designation of 2027 as the “Year of Water,” the development of the public education system, and the transfer of the real estate registration system to the Real Estate General Authority demonstrate the continuation of strategic and regulatory decision-making despite regional security pressures.

The session’s most important message is that protecting national security does not halt development, and diplomatic action does not mean tolerating threats to sovereignty.