Saudi Arabia Welcomes US-Iran Two-Week Ceasefire, Backs Talks in Islamabad

Saudi Arabia has officially welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to work toward lasting regional stability and a permanent end to longstanding tensions.

In a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom expressed support for the truce, which halts more than 40 days of US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf sites, including areas in Saudi Arabia. The agreement requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted passage, a vital route for global oil supplies.

Saudi Arabia specifically praised Pakistan’s mediation role in brokering the deal. It highlighted the upcoming direct talks scheduled for Friday, April 10, in Islamabad, where US and Iranian delegations are expected to negotiate a comprehensive agreement.

“The Kingdom affirms its support for the mediation efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to reach a permanent agreement that achieves security and stability and addresses all the issues that have caused instability and insecurity for several decades,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry stated.

The statement emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for safe international navigation and expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to an end to attacks across the Middle East, thereby enhancing regional security. It also called for adherence to relevant United Nations resolutions in any final settlement.

The ceasefire announcement came amid brief heightened alerts in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, which activated air defenses following reports of Iranian missile activity shortly after the truce was declared. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited both parties to Islamabad for face-to-face negotiations, describing the pause as a vital step toward resolving all disputes.

Both Washington and Tehran have described aspects of the deal positively, with the US highlighting progress toward long-term peace and Iran viewing it as an opportunity for diplomacy without ending the broader conflict.

International reactions have been largely supportive, with calls for full compliance during the two-week period to allow meaningful talks.