GCC Secretary-General: Iran's disruption of international navigation constitutes a "flagrant violation" of international law
New York, 24 Sep (KUNA) -- GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi affirmed that Iran’s disruption of international navigation and closure of the Strait of Hormuz constitutes a "flagrant violation" of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He made these remarks in a speech delivered last Wednesday evening during the joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Al-Budaiwi stated that the repercussions of these developments have not been confined to the region, but have extended to countries worldwide. He explained that since 28 February last, GCC member states have been subjected to more than 7,000 ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran, targeting vital facilities and causing significant human casualties and material damage.
He emphasized that GCC member states were not parties to the war, and that they made intensive mediation efforts and exercised the highest degree of restraint with the aim of containing escalation.
He underscored the GCC states’ position calling for Iran’s full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, the permanent and unconditional cessation of attacks, ensuring their non-recurrence, and the restoration of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to the status quo ante 28 February last.
Al-Budaiwi expressed the GCC states’ rejection of any unilateral measures imposing fees or conditions on the right of passage, while holding Iran fully legally responsible and liable for compensation for the damages resulting from its attacks.
Regarding Gulf-ASEAN relations, Al-Budaiwi noted that this meeting is a continuation of the momentum achieved by the two Gulf-ASEAN summits held in Riyadh in 2023 and Kuala Lumpur in 2025, which contributed to advancing cooperation and partnership between the two sides toward broader horizons that serve the interests of their peoples and support stability and prosperity in both regions.
He expressed confidence that strengthening cooperation between the two sides in light of current circumstances will have a positive impact on the trajectory of joint efforts, especially given that their relations are "historic and well-established" and are witnessing growing development. He called on technical working groups to intensify their efforts to develop areas of cooperation in a manner that achieves mutual benefit and shared interests. (End)
