GCC Secretary-General: Iran's disruption of international navigation and closure of the Strait of Hormuz constitute a 'blatant violation' of international law
Jassim Al-Buaidi describes the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a blatant violation of international law
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Bouaidi, stated that Iran’s disruption of international navigation and closure of the Strait of Hormuz constitutes a “blatant violation” of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This remark came during a speech delivered by Al-Bouaidi on Wednesday evening at the joint ministerial meeting between the 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-Bouaidi noted that the repercussions of these developments were not confined to the region, but their effects extended to countries worldwide. He clarified that since February 28, the GCC states have been subjected to more than 7,000 ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran, targeting critical facilities and causing significant human casualties and material damage.
He emphasized that the GCC states were not parties to the war and had made intensive mediation efforts, exercising the highest levels of restraint to contain the escalation.
He stressed the GCC’s position calling for Iran’s full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, an immediate, permanent, and unconditional halt to attacks, assurances that such attacks will not recur, and the restoration of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab to their pre-February 28 status.
Al-Bouaidi expressed the GCC states’ rejection of any unilateral measures imposing fees or conditions on the right of passage, while holding Iran fully responsible for legal liabilities and compensation for damages resulting from its attacks.
Regarding Gulf-Asian relations, Al-Bouaidi said this meeting builds on the momentum achieved by the Gulf-Asia summits held in Riyadh in 2023 and Kuala Lumpur in 2025, which contributed to broadening cooperation and partnership tracks between the two sides, serving the interests of their peoples and supporting stability and prosperity in both regions.
He expressed confidence that enhancing cooperation between the two sides, given current circumstances, would have a positive impact on joint efforts, particularly as their relations are “historically entrenched” and witnessing growing development. He called on technical working groups to intensify their efforts to develop areas of cooperation, thereby achieving mutual benefit and shared interests.
