The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, stated that the member states are collaborating with the international community to mitigate the escalating tensions in the region, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts remain the best route for resolving current conflicts.
In remarks made to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels yesterday, Al-Budaiwi noted that GCC countries have been persistently working for years to foster dialogue in their quest for peace, reiterating that they are constantly engaged in efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Al-Budaiwi highlighted the significance of the United Nations Security Council’s resolution condemning these attacks, describing it as a historic decision that reflects a global consensus on the need for Iran to cease its aggressions.
The GCC Secretary-General reaffirmed that the Gulf nations support political and diplomatic solutions to put an end to current escalations, stressing that the future of the region lies in dialogue and political avenues while affirming that the protection of maritime passages is a shared global responsibility.
The Need for Commitment
Earlier, Al-Budaiwi asserted that the joint ministerial meetings with Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and the UK have yielded positive results in strengthening relations between the parties. He stressed the importance of adhering to the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for an immediate halt to all Iranian attacks against the GCC states and Jordan.
He mentioned that these meetings occurred amidst a backdrop of unprecedented escalation due to Iran’s unjust attacks on GCC countries and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which involved missiles and drones targeting civilian facilities and vital sites, resulting in injuries, fatalities, and significant material damage, thus representing a blatant violation of international law and the principles of the international order that respect state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also commended the strong solidarity expressed by these fraternal and friendly nations against Iran’s wrongful aggressions and their support for the measures taken by GCC states to defend their sovereignty and ensure the safety and stability of their citizens and residents.
A Threat
The Secretary-General emphasized that these joint meetings have made it clear that the threat from these attacks extends beyond the security of GCC states, also endangering international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor for global energy supplies. The targeting of commercial vessels and critical maritime routes poses a direct threat to freedom of navigation, risking global trade and energy security, which could consequently have negative repercussions on the world economy and stability in international markets.
Welcoming of the Resolution
Al-Budaiwi noted the positive reception of the joint meetings regarding the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2817 (2026), which was supported by 136 nations. This resolution condemned, in the strongest terms, the heinous attacks by Iran against the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan as violations of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security. It denounced Iranian assaults on residential areas and the targeting of civilian structures, which have led to civilian casualties and damage to public infrastructure. The Security Council affirmed the right of GCC states and Jordan to defend themselves, either individually or collectively, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, demanding that Iran comply with the resolution by immediately halting all attacks on the GCC states and Jordan. It also urged Iran to cease any provocations or threats to neighboring countries, especially those that undermine navigation rights and freedoms in critical maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
