- Freedom of navigation in Hormuz and Red Sea is a red line
- GCC condemns Iran attacks, demands accountability and compensation
- Gulf states stand with Saudi Arabia, calls for action against Houthis
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called for stronger international action against Iran and its regional proxies, urging Russia to play an active role in pressing Tehran to halt attacks, respect freedom of navigation and engage in serious dialogue with Gulf states.
The call came during the GCC’s 168th Ministerial Council meeting and the ninth ministerial meeting of the Gulf-Russian Strategic Dialogue, held in Manama on Sunday. Discussions focused on regional security, solidarity among Gulf states, maritime safety and strengthening cooperation amid continuing regional tensions.
GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said the council looked to Russia, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to help ensure Iran complies with Security Council Resolution 2817, ends its attacks and respects international navigation rights.
The GCC Ministerial Council strongly condemned continued attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, reaffirming full solidarity with the Kingdom and stressing that the security of GCC member states is indivisible.
It said an attack on any member state constitutes a direct threat to the security of the entire bloc. The council also called for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and urged the international community to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization. It further called for an end to support that enables the group to acquire missiles and drones.
In a separate condemnation, the council denounced Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting GCC countries and Jordan, whether directly or through regional proxies. It held Tehran responsible for the attacks and their consequences, rejected Iranian justifications for the actions and called on the Security Council and the international community to hold those responsible accountable.
GCC Warns Against Threats to Vital Shipping Routes
The GCC also demanded that Iran provide full compensation for damage resulting from the attacks. The Ministerial Council emphasized the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, describing them as vital waterways underpinning the global economy.
It warned that closing these routes, obstructing maritime traffic or targeting vessels would threaten international peace and security. The council also rejected attempts to make the right of transit passage conditional on prior authorization or imposed shipping routes.
During the Gulf-Russian dialogue, Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC’s expectation that Moscow will use its position at the UN Security Council to press Iran to comply with Resolution 2817, cease its attacks and respect freedom of navigation.
He also called for serious dialogue between Iran and the GCC states based on good-neighborly relations, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. The meetings underscored the GCC’s emphasis on collective security, regional coordination and international diplomatic engagement to address security threats and safeguard vital maritime routes.