Gulf reliance on Russia to 'control' Iran

Amid efforts to strengthen Gulf integration, reaffirm full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of Houthi terrorist attacks, and rely on a Russian role to pressure Iran to halt its aggression and ensure freedom of navigation, two Gulf meetings held in Manama on Sunday conveyed messages underscoring commitment to the security of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, accelerating joint projects, and enhancing international coordination to address regional challenges. These developments come as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visits Tehran today.

During the 168th GCC Ministerial Meeting, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the need to advance integration projects and enhance the Council’s member states’ capacity to confront crises. In the context of the ninth GCC-Russia Strategic Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, he expressed the Council’s hope that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, would play an active role in pressuring Tehran to implement Resolution 2817, halt its attacks, and respect freedom of navigation.

The Ministerial Council strongly condemned the ongoing attacks launched by the Houthi terrorist militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, affirming that Gulf states stand united alongside the Kingdom. It stressed that the security of GCC member states is indivisible, and that any attack on any member state constitutes a direct attack on all Council members.

The Council called for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions concerning Yemen and the Houthi rebellion, the designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, and treating it in line with how the international community deals with terrorist groups that threaten security, peace, development, and prosperity. It also demanded an end to all support enabling the militia to possess missiles and drones.

Furthermore, the Ministerial Council condemned Iran’s continued missile and drone attacks against GCC states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, whether directly or through its proxies in the region. It held Iran fully responsible for these attacks and their repercussions, firmly rejecting all Iranian claims used to justify them. The Council urged the UN Security Council and the international community to hold those responsible accountable and compel Iran to fully compensate for all damages resulting from these attacks.

In his speech during the meeting with Russia, Al-Budaiwi stated that the GCC looks forward to the Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the Security Council, playing an active role in pressuring Iran to comply with Resolution 2817 (issued in 2026), halt its attacks, respect freedom of navigation, and engage in serious dialogue with GCC states based on principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.