The Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Council discusses the repercussions of the Iranian attacks and the right to respond
The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 50th extraordinary meeting on Sunday via video conference, chaired by Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain (the current chair), with the participation of the foreign ministers of the member states and the GCC Secretary-General, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi. This emergency meeting was convened to discuss the serious developments represented by the Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting all GCC member states, beginning on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Details of the meeting and the unified Gulf position
The meeting witnessed high-level participation, including His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Foreign Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Al Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, His Excellency Mr. Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Omani Foreign Minister, and His Excellency Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The ministers discussed the grave consequences of this Iranian aggression, which they described as “treacherous,” targeting civilian facilities, service sites, and residential areas in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. The Council affirmed that these attacks not only violate the sovereignty of states but also constitute a direct threat to the lives of innocent civilians and a flagrant breach of international law and diplomatic norms.
Strategic context and joint defense agreement
This meeting comes at a critical juncture for the region, reaffirming the enduring principles upon which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was founded, most importantly the principle of “collective security.” The Council’s statement was based on the Joint Defense Agreement, which stipulates that any attack on any member state is considered an attack on all member states. This stance reflects the depth of the strategic interdependence among the Gulf states and underscores that the region’s security is indivisible, and that responding to external threats requires unified military and political coordination.
International legitimacy and the right to self-defense
In a significant legal move, the Ministerial Council affirmed the GCC states' full right to respond to this aggression, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which guarantees states the right of self-defense, whether individually or collectively. This legal basis indicates that the Gulf states seek to legitimize any future military or security measures they may take to deter aggression and protect their sovereignty.
The Council also called on the international community and the Security Council to assume their immediate and firm responsibilities to stop these violations, warning that the continuation of this escalation not only threatens regional security, but also endangers international peace and security.
Economic and global repercussions
The danger of these attacks extends beyond the regional dimension, casting a shadow over the global economy. The Arabian Gulf region is a major artery for global energy and a vital maritime shipping lane. The Council noted that targeting infrastructure and critical facilities threatens supply chains and the stability of energy markets, potentially leading to catastrophic economic consequences worldwide. Therefore, the Council's call to the international community is not merely a political appeal, but a warning of the chaos that could engulf global markets if this aggression is not curbed.
Between diplomacy and firmness
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Council noted that the Gulf states have always been and remain advocates for dialogue and peace, commending the Sultanate of Oman's diplomatic efforts. However, Iran's continued military operations, despite Gulf assurances that its territory would not be used for attacks, place the region at a dangerous crossroads. The Council concluded its statement by emphasizing that diplomacy is the best option, but not the only one, given the ongoing existential threats, and expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
