Al-Khaliji: Iran must repair the damage from its attacks

- The security of the GCC states is indivisible, and the international community must designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization.

- Ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea is a shared international interest and responsibility.

- The GCC looks forward to an active Russian role in pressuring Iran to halt its aggression and respect freedom of navigation.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states renewed their condemnation of the continuous attacks launched by the terrorist Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling for the militia to be designated as a terrorist organization and treated in accordance with how the international system deals with terrorist groups.

Expressing its expectation of an active Russian role in pressuring Iran to cease its attacks on regional countries, the GCC states demanded that Russia be involved in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security and interests.

This was stated in the final communique issued at the conclusion of the 168th GCC Ministerial Council meeting held in Manama on Sunday, which was followed by the ninth joint ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation.

In the final communique, the Council affirmed the full solidarity of its member states with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, standing united alongside it and supporting all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and interests. It stressed that the security of GCC states is indivisible, and that any attack on any member state constitutes a direct attack on all GCC states, in accordance with the Joint Defense Agreement, while reaffirming the inherent right of GCC states to defend themselves, individually and collectively.

The Council called for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Yemen and the Houthi rebellion, including Resolution 2216 (2015) adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and Resolution 2722 (2024) concerning attacks on ships in the Red Sea. It urged the UN and the international community to ensure strict enforcement of the arms embargo on the Houthi militia stipulated in these resolutions.

It also called for the designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization and for it to be treated like other terrorist groups threatening global security, peace, development, and prosperity, as well as for an end to all support enabling it to possess missiles and drones.

Regarding Iran, the Council renewed its condemnation of Iranian missile and drone attacks on GCC states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, firmly rejecting all Iranian claims used to justify these actions. It demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to all attacks, provocations, and threats, and full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

The Council also called on the UN Security Council and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities and take necessary measures to ensure the full implementation of the resolution, hold those responsible for these attacks accountable, and compel Iran to provide full compensation for all resulting damages, in accordance with UN Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 (2026).

Emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea are vital waterways whose importance extends beyond the region, representing major arteries of the global economy, and that ensuring their security, safe navigation, and freedom of passage is a shared international interest and responsibility, the Ministerial Council called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to overcome the current crisis, preserve regional security and stability, and protect the well-being of its peoples. It stressed that any understandings must address all outstanding issues, including the Iranian nuclear file, its missile program, drones, and proxy support, based on respect for sovereignty, good neighborliness, and non-interference in internal affairs, with the involvement of GCC states in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security and interests.

During the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Bedaiwi emphasized that the persistent insistence of the terrorist Houthi militia on repeating its crimes against Saudi Arabia necessitates a significant international response to halt its aggressions, hold those responsible accountable, and prevent its threats to security and stability.

He also reiterated a firm condemnation of Iranian aggressions, stressing the necessity for the international community, led by the Security Council, to adopt a resolute stance that ensures the protection of the region’s security and stability, and safeguards international maritime corridors from any practices that threaten regional and international peace and security.

During the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and Russia, Al-Bedaiwi stated that the meeting “takes place at a highly critical juncture for our region.” He highlighted that among the serious challenges facing our region are Iranian aggressions against GCC member states since February 28, 2026, which involved more than 7,000 ballistic missiles and drones targeting airports, ports, power plants, desalination facilities, and oil and gas installations, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians.

He called on the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent position against the aggressions targeting the security and stability of the Kingdom, condemning what constitutes a threat to regional peace and security, and a violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2722.

Al-Bedaiwi noted that “Iran’s decision to disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes, along with its efforts to impose restrictions and fees on the right of transit passage, coupled with threats by its proxies to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, represents a violation of international rules governing navigation in straits used for international navigation, and a threat to energy security, food security, and global supply chains. The GCC stresses the necessity of restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-February 28, 2026 status.”

He stated that “the GCC looks forward to Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, playing an active role in compelling Iran to comply with Resolution 2817 (2026), halt its aggressions, respect freedom of navigation, and engage in serious dialogue with GCC member states based on principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.”