RIYADH: King Philippe affirmed Belgium’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia during a phone call on Tuesday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as regional tensions escalate.
The call focused on the latest developments and their repercussions for regional and international security, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Philippe expressed the support of the Belgian government and people for the Kingdom in the face of ongoing attacks, backing measures taken by Riyadh to safeguard its sovereignty and security.
The outreach follows a similar call a day earlier between the crown prince and French President Emmanuel Macron, who reiterated France’s support for Saudi Arabia and condemned repeated Iranian attacks on the Kingdom.
Macron also warned of the risk of escalation and called for protecting energy infrastructure and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The diplomatic contacts come as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states face sustained missile and drone attacks, part of Iran’s retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on targets inside Iran launched on Feb. 28 by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
As of early Tuesday, a tally of strikes reported by the Saudi Ministry of Defense showed that more than 630 drones and over 50 missiles had been intercepted and destroyed in the Kingdom.
Saudi–Belgian ties
Saudi Arabia and Belgium maintain steady relations centered on trade, energy, and industrial cooperation, alongside engagement through the European Union.
Belgium is a key European gateway for Saudi petrochemical exports via the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, while Belgian companies are involved in Saudi projects spanning engineering, infrastructure, and water management under Vision 2030.
Though not a leading security actor in the region, Belgium has consistently aligned with European positions supporting de-escalation, protection of maritime routes, and diplomatic solutions—making King Philippe’s message a reflection of broader European backing for Saudi Arabia at a time of heightened tensions.