Arab Foreign Ministers Condemn Iranian Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan, and Iraq
Cairo, Sept 7 (KUNA) – The Council of the Arab League, at the level of foreign ministers, condemned today, Monday, the continuation of Iranian attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, and Iraq, citing violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as breaches of international law and the UN Charter.
In a decision issued at the conclusion of its 166th ordinary session, presided over by Tunisia, the Council affirmed that these attacks constitute a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and the principle of non-use of force, in addition to posing a threat to regional and international peace and security.
The Council called on Iran to fully comply with its obligations under international law and relevant UN resolutions, and to immediately and permanently halt any attacks or threats targeting Arab states, their territories, citizens, or civilian and vital infrastructure. It urged addressing the root causes of tension through dialogue, negotiations, and peaceful means.
The Council again condemned Iran’s illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its continued obstruction and disruption of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab via its proxies in the region, stressing that such actions threaten the security of sea lanes, international trade, and global energy security.
It firmly rejected Iran’s establishment of the so-called “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” and any characterization of it as a sovereign entity responsible for managing and regulating ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. It also rejected the imposition of any fees under any name for the passage of ships through the strait, or the adoption of unilateral measures aimed at subjecting freedom of navigation to Iranian regulatory or supervisory authority.
The Council strongly condemned any attacks targeting commercial and civilian ships, emphasizing Iran’s responsibility to immediately and unconditionally reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the removal of mines and obstacles to safe passage.
Arab foreign ministers stressed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, and the Red Sea for international trade, energy supplies, and global supply chains, warning of the consequences of any attempt to disrupt navigation in these waterways on economic and energy security.
They emphasized that the security and stability of the region can only be achieved through dialogue, understanding, and respect for the principles of good neighborliness, sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. They called for an immediate halt to escalation and military actions, and for dialogue and diplomacy to prevail.
They urged the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, support efforts to halt escalation, ensure the full implementation of its 2026 Resolution 2817, and take necessary measures against any acts or threats that could hinder freedom of navigation or threaten the security and integrity of international sea lanes.
They reaffirmed Arab states’ commitment to freedom and safety of navigation, and the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, rejecting the imposition of any restrictions or transit fees of any kind, or unilateral arrangements that hinder maritime navigation.
They stressed that ensuring freedom of navigation is a shared international responsibility requiring action by the international community, expressing their readiness to work with all countries in the region and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure unhindered maritime traffic and to reach permanent arrangements consistent with international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and state sovereignty.
They reiterated the inherent right to self-defense, individually or collectively, in response to armed attacks launched by Iran, as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter, emphasizing the right of Arab states to protect their ships, ports, maritime facilities, vital infrastructure, and transport means, and to take necessary measures in accordance with international law.
The Council noted that states may take purely defensive measures to protect their ships and contribute to restoring freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, based on paragraph 20 of the IMO resolution issued in July 2026.
It affirmed that Iran bears international responsibility for the aggressions and their consequences, including the obligation under international law to provide reparation for injuries and economic losses, including damages to ships, ports, maritime facilities, and energy infrastructure.
It reaffirmed Arab states’ support for the right of affected states to resort to competent international and regional institutions and mechanisms to protect their rights and obtain necessary decisions to ensure accountability and reparation in accordance with international law.
The Arab League Council expressed full Arab solidarity with the Arab states targeted by Iran, emphasizing the danger of continued Iranian provocative attempts to drag Arab states into the crisis.
The Council tasked Arab groups in international organizations, Arab ambassadorial councils, and Arab missions to the UN, the IMO, and other relevant international forums with taking urgent and coordinated action to convey the content of the decision and mobilize international support to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the security and integrity of sea lanes and energy corridors.
Kuwait participated in the 166th session through a delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Hamad Al-Muhsen. (End) M.M./R.J.
