'Gulf Ministers' Council': GCC security is indivisible... Any attack on a member state is an attack on all

- Full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its measures to protect its security and sovereignty... and the call to designate the Houthis as a terrorist group.

- Holding Iran fully responsible for its attacks and demanding their immediate cessation and compensation for all damages resulting from them.

- Demanding the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a return to dialogue and diplomacy, and the involvement of GCC states in any negotiations affecting their security.

The GCC Council of Ministers affirmed the full solidarity of GCC states with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of Houthi attacks, and supported all measures taken to protect its security and sovereignty, emphasizing that the security of GCC states is indivisible, and that any attack on one of them constitutes an attack on all member states.

This was stated in the final statement issued by the 168th session of the Council of Ministers, held today, Sunday, in the Bahraini capital of Manama, presided over by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and attended by the foreign ministers of the GCC states and the Secretary-General of the Council.

The Council strongly condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including those targeting the Two Holy Mosques and their surrounding areas, civilian airports, and vital facilities, which resulted in civilian casualties. It expressed its condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Council affirmed the right of GCC states to defend themselves individually and collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the Joint Defense Agreement, and to take necessary measures to protect their citizens and residents, as well as to safeguard their security, stability, and interests.

The Council called for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions concerning Yemen and Houthi attacks, particularly Resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2722 (2024), urging the UN and the international community to ensure compliance with the arms embargo on the Houthis.

It also called for designating the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, halting all forms of support enabling them to possess missiles and drones, and urging the Security Council, especially permanent members, to fulfill their responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and ensuring freedom of maritime and air navigation.

The Council welcomed the Presidential Statement adopted by the Security Council on October 15, condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including those targeting Aramco facilities, affirmed the Kingdom's right to self-defense, stressed the need to protect commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and called for full implementation of the arms embargo on the Houthis.

In this context, it appreciated the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a Security Council member, emphasizing the necessity of fully implementing the provisions of the Presidential Statement.

The Council reaffirmed its support for Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its backing of a political solution to the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and understanding, based on the outcomes of the National Dialogue, the Gulf Initiative, and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Regarding Iranian attacks, the Council of Ministers condemned the continued missile and drone attacks on GCC states and Jordan, whether directly or through Iran's proxies in the region, which targeted civilian facilities, service infrastructure, residential areas, and diplomatic missions.

The Council held Iran fully responsible for these attacks and their repercussions, rejecting all justifications offered by Tehran, and demanding an immediate and unconditional halt to the attacks, provocations, and threats, as well as full compliance with Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026).

The Council called on the UN Security Council and the international community to take the necessary measures to implement the resolution, hold those responsible for the attacks accountable, and compel Iran to provide full compensation for the damages caused, in accordance with Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 of 2026.

Maritime Navigation Security

The Council emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea are vital waterways for the global economy, and that ensuring their security and freedom of navigation is a shared international responsibility.

It affirmed that closing these waterways, obstructing navigation therein, targeting commercial vessels and their crews, laying mines, and imposing illegal fees and restrictions on passage constitute a threat to international peace and security, and expose global energy, food, pharmaceutical supplies, and trade to serious risks.

The Council rejected any attempt to subject transit passage to prior authorization or imposed routes in violation of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, calling on the International Maritime Organization to continue its efforts to protect navigation and seafarers.

It stressed the necessity of restoring the security and freedom of navigation, and returning conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to what they were before February 28, 2026, in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the maritime and continental shelf delimitation agreement signed between the Sultanate of Oman and Iran on July 25, 1974, while respecting the sovereignty of coastal states and the rights of concerned states.

Dialogue and Diplomacy

The Ministerial Council called for a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to overcome the current crisis, and to preserve the security and stability of the region, expressing support for mediation efforts and diplomatic initiatives undertaken by regional states, as well as sister and friendly countries, to reach a political solution that spares the region further tension.

It emphasized that any understandings must cover all outstanding issues, foremost among them Iran’s nuclear file, its ballistic missile program, drones, and support for proxies, based on the principles of respecting sovereignty, good neighborliness, and non-interference in internal affairs.

The Council affirmed the importance of involving Gulf Cooperation Council states in any negotiations or arrangements concerning their security and interests.