Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Council: Decisive measures to deter Iranian attacks
The Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf held its 50th extraordinary meeting via video conference on Sunday, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the GCC States, and His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Badawi, to discuss the serious developments and military escalation in the region.
Details of the Iranian attacks and their repercussions
The meeting discussed at length the hostile Iranian attacks carried out using missiles and drones, targeting the territories of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait. The Council noted that these attacks, which began on Saturday, February 28, 2026, represent a dangerous shift in the nature of the threats facing the region.
The ministers discussed the extent of the extensive damage caused by this aggression, which targeted civilian facilities, service sites, and residential areas, resulting in significant material losses and posing a direct threat to the lives of innocent civilians, both citizens and residents, in flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions.
The importance of Gulf stability for international peace and security
In further analysis of the situation, the Council emphasized that the security of the Arabian Gulf region is not merely a regional concern, but a fundamental pillar of global economic stability. This region holds paramount strategic importance due to its pivotal role in securing global energy supplies and maritime navigation through vital waterways. Any threat to the GCC states directly impacts global supply chains and the stability of energy markets, thus necessitating a firm international response.
The right to self-defense and Gulf solidarity
The Ministerial Council emphasized the principle of "collective security" upon which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is founded, affirming that the security of the GCC member states is indivisible and that any attack on any member state is considered an attack on all member states. Based on the Joint Defense Agreement and the GCC Charter, the ministers affirmed their countries' unified stance in confronting these threats.
The Council also declared that member states retain their full legal right to respond to this aggression, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which guarantees states the right of individual and collective self-defense. The final statement affirmed the Council states' determination to take all necessary measures to protect their sovereignty, security, and the stability of their peoples.
The diplomatic track and the role of the international community
Despite the tireless diplomatic efforts of the GCC states and the constructive role played by the Sultanate of Oman in bridging differences and promoting dialogue, Iran's continued military escalation undermines the prospects for peace. The Council reiterated its call upon the international community, particularly the Security Council, to uphold its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and to take immediate action to deter these violations, which threaten to ignite the region and drag it into catastrophic consequences.
The Council concluded its statement by praising the efficiency of the armed forces and air defense systems in the GCC countries, which professionally countered the attacks, expressing sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured, and appreciating the positions of the brotherly and friendly countries that declared their full solidarity with the Gulf countries.
