Gulf-Russian Dialogue

The timing was apt, coinciding with the Gulf-Russian “Foreign Ministers” summit, or the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The key point of the meeting was that the Manama gathering paved the way for a subsequent meeting of the GCC foreign ministers to organize the GCC’s internal affairs after the disarray caused by the brutal attacks on sister nation Saudi Arabia, which claimed lives and targeted its capabilities and assets. The GCC foreign ministers placed the aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the top of the agenda, along with how to mobilize international support to condemn the aggression and prevent its recurrence in the future.

Indeed, the meeting with the Russian minister, who arrived in Manama as a stopover before heading to Tehran, aligned with this approach. This came after the region’s countries clarified their stance on the intermittent aggression they face, just as the meeting with Lavrov included GCC-Russian cooperation within the OPEC+ alliance, which guarantees stability in oil markets amid the prevailing tensions at the Strait of Hormuz. These tensions have prevented the passage of sufficient oil volumes, despite Trump’s assurances that he managed to transport 20 million barrels of Gulf oil daily through the volatile strait.

Nevertheless, Gulf concerns remain unchanged, as no day passes without news of military confrontations between the United States and Iran near the strait, or even within striking distance of the littoral states. This situation has spurred Gulf momentum and initiated international outreach with friendly countries, led by the Russian Federation, to play an influential role among the various disputing parties at the strait. The goal is to ensure that potential negotiations yield extended benefits and establish a preliminary peace that lays the foundation for a lasting, just peace guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while fostering mutual trust among the states frequenting this waterway.

The position of the GCC foreign ministers was clear regarding the inclusion of GCC countries in any negotiations between the United States and Iran, or through traditional mediators such as Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan, to prevent any agreements that might overlook GCC interests or ignore their positions, which cannot be disregarded, compromised, or delayed. We praise God and thank Him for His grace that the GCC countries have reaffirmed through these meetings their cohesion and steadfast stance in achieving just, lasting, and comprehensive peace among all regional states, alongside the disputing parties, while avoiding reigniting or exacerbating wars to preserve the stability enjoyed by GCC countries. This stability undoubtedly contributes to establishing harmony and sustaining prosperity and growth, not only in the region but also in various countries worldwide.

We know that no one cares for your well-being as much as you do. Therefore, since the beginning of the crisis—during the 12-day war, the five-week war last February, and subsequent intermittent military clashes and confrontations—there have been continuous meetings with all GCC countries. No state in the region should be deprived of its right to legitimate self-defense or its contribution to perspectives and visions regarding the peace process or even repeated or intermittent truces, which have not yet provided sufficient guarantees against the recurrence of aggression or the risk of being drawn into wars or military confrontations whose extent only God knows.