Saudi Arabia’s only official alcohol shop in Riyadh’s diplomatic district has run low on stock of beer, wine and tequila after shipments were delayed by disruption linked to the Iran war, visitors to the store said. The shortage has left shelves largely bare and the store offering mainly expensive or obscure brands, according to people who visited in recent days.
The outlet — unnamed and unsigned — opened in 2024 to serve non-Muslim diplomats and last year expanded its customer base to include wealthy non-Muslim foreign residents. Officials have allowed the single licensed shop despite a 1952 blanket ban on alcohol, part of a cautious effort by the ultra-conservative kingdom to attract more expatriates.
Five visitors who checked the shop in recent days described slim choices and limited quantities. One Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was no white wine and “only a few bottles of super expensive red.”
Visitors attributed the stock squeeze to shipment delays caused by the Iran war, underscoring how a single authorised outlet remains vulnerable to regional disruptions. The shortage highlights a practical challenge for Saudi Arabia’s measured opening to non-Muslim residents and diplomats, who rely on the lone licensed supplier for imports. —AFP
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-israel-us-war-live-updates-may-1-2026/article70927343.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-05-02 05:13:00
