RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed serious concern over the maps and coordinate lists recently submitted by Iraq to the United Nations adding these documents show encroachments on large parts of the divided submerged zone near the Saudi-Kuwaiti boundary.
“The Kingdom, shares sovereign rights over the natural resources in this zone with the State of Kuwait, in accordance with the agreements duly concluded and currently in force between them, which are firmly grounded in the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday.
It said these coordinates also represent an infringement on the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait over its maritime zones and features, including Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij.
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely monitoring with deep concern the lists of coordinates and the map deposited by the Republic of Iraq with the United Nations, which include encroachments to cover large parts of the divided submerged zone… pic.twitter.com/vcaZ9bUUHR
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) February 23, 2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its categorical rejection of any claims made by any party asserting rights within the divided submerged zone established between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Riyadh emphasised the importance of Iraq fully respecting Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as honouring its bilateral and international obligations, including relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Ministry also called for disputes to be resolved through reasoned, constructive dialogue, stressing the need for responsible engagement guided by international law and the principles of good neighborliness.
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Kuwait summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires on Saturday to formally protest Baghdad’s submission of maritime coordinates and a map to the United Nations, stating that the move “infringes on Kuwaiti sovereignty” over its established maritime areas.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said these coordinates and the map encroach on its sovereignty over specific maritime areas and fixed water elevations, including Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij, which Kuwait maintains are undisputed and fully under its control.
Earlier on Saturday, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had submitted updated lists of coordinates for its territorial sea baselines and maritime zones to the UN Secretary-General on January 19 and February 9, in line with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
