Saudi Arabia Monitors Iraq's UN Submission Over Kuwait Maritime Boundary

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that it is closely following Iraqi submissions to the United Nations, expressing deep concern over their content. The ministry confirms that the Kingdom completely rejects any external claims to rights in the divided submerged area that lies within the agreed Saudi‑Kuwaiti maritime boundary.

According to the ministry, the coordinate lists and map sent by the Republic of Iraq include extensions that reach into extensive parts of the shared submerged zone next to the Saudi‑Kuwaiti divided area. Saudi Arabia notes that these submissions affect zones where the Kingdom and Kuwait jointly own natural resources.

The ministry explains that Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait manage those offshore resources under binding agreements, which draw on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It reports that Iraq’s coordinates disregard Kuwait’s sovereignty over territorial waters and maritime features, including Fasht Al‑Qaid and Fasht Al‑Aij.

Saudi Arabia stresses that the Republic of Iraq must respect Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and abide by all bilateral and international commitments. The statement highlights United Nations Security Council Resolution 833 (1993), which defined the land and maritime boundary between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq and remains in force.

While reaffirming its position, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for disputes to be managed through reasoned dialogue. The ministry urges serious and responsible engagement by all parties, consistent with international law and good‑neighbourly relations, and says it will continue to monitor developments around the Iraqi submissions presented to the United Nations.

With inputs from SPA