The recent war in Middle East and the consequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz are causing substantial issues to the international commerce. When a project is affected by conflict, sanctions, shipping problems, or supply-chain disruption, the immediate issue is usually delay. The hidden issue is documentation. In construction industry and international commerce, delay claims often succeed or fail depending on what the affected party did in the first days and weeks after the event.

In the context of Iran‑linked hostilities and the force majeure declarations by Iraq and Qatar on oil‑supply contracts to the EU, contractors increasingly face a crucial question: is the disruption caused by the recent event a force majeure event or hardship? The answer has a direct impact on whether you can stop performance, claim an extension of time, or simply request a price adjustment.

With the escalation of hostilities involving Iran and its regional impact, contractors are increasingly asking whether war or armed conflict can be treated as a force majeure event in their contracts. The answer is yes -but only if strict legal conditions are met. In this article we will look at the laws of Saudi Arabia.

Many international contracts incorporate the ICC Force Majeure and Hardship Clause (2020 / 2023), either by reference or by adaptation or contain a force majeure clause which is drafted on the basis of the ICC Clause. Unfortunately we still see force majeure clauses poorly drafted or as a very superficial boilerplate clause.

In the context of Iran war and the force majeure declarations by Iraq and Qatar on oil‑supply contracts with EU countries, understanding this clause is critical for contractors and employers alike. Saudi Civil Transaction Law ensures that all contractual parties benefit from the same degree of legal protection and support.

Amongst its main purposes, Saudi Tender Law aims at promoting ’integrity and competitiveness, maintain equality, ensure fair treatment of bidders, in fulfilment of the principle of equal opportunity.’