Source : WAM
The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened its 50th extraordinary session via videoconference on Sunday. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and current President of the Ministerial Council.
Participating in the session were Khalifa Shaheen Almarar, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates; H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman; Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar; Shaikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait; and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
The session was called to address the Iranian missile and drone attacks launched on Saturday, February 28, 2026, against the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait.
During the meeting, the Council examined the extensive destruction caused by what it described as treacherous Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, service facilities, and residential areas. These strikes resulted in substantial material losses, endangered the lives of citizens and residents, and created widespread fear among the population.
The Council deliberated on the measures and coordinated steps required to restore security and stability and to work toward achieving peace in the region.
In the strongest possible terms, the Ministerial Council rejected and condemned the Iranian attacks against GCC member states, as well as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It stressed that these actions represent a grave violation of national sovereignty, contravene the principles of good neighbourliness, and constitute a clear breach of international law and the United Nations Charter, regardless of any justification. The Council further emphasized that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Council reiterated the full solidarity and unified position of GCC member states in confronting these attacks, affirming that the security of any GCC country is inseparable from that of the others. It underscored that an assault on one member state is considered an assault on all, in accordance with the GCC Charter and the Joint Defence Agreement.
The Council affirmed that GCC countries reserve their legitimate right to respond under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which guarantees the right of individual and collective self-defence in cases of aggression. It stated that member states may take all necessary measures to safeguard their sovereignty, security, and stability.
The Council praised the preparedness and effectiveness of the armed forces and air defence systems of the member states, which successfully intercepted missiles and drones with high professionalism, limiting the damage and protecting lives and vital facilities.
In light of what it described as unjustified Iranian aggression, the Ministerial Council declared that GCC states would adopt all necessary measures to defend their security and stability, including the possibility of responding to the attacks.
Despite sustained diplomatic efforts by GCC countries to prevent escalation and their assurances that their territories would not be used to launch attacks against Iran 636the Islamic Republic of Iran continued military operations targeting GCC states, affecting numerous civilian and residential sites.
The Council called for the immediate cessation of hostilities to restore peace, security, and stability in the region. It stressed the critical importance of safeguarding air and maritime security, protecting regional waterways, maintaining supply chains, and ensuring the stability of global energy markets. The Council emphasized that stability in the Arabian Gulf is not only a regional priority but also a cornerstone of global economic stability and maritime navigation.
The Ministerial Council urged the international community to firmly condemn these aggressions and called upon the United Nations Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities by taking decisive and immediate action to prevent further violations that threaten civilian lives and undermine regional and international peace.
The Council also expressed appreciation to brotherly and friendly nations that have condemned the attacks, voiced solidarity with GCC states, and supported measures taken to protect their sovereignty and security.
It noted that GCC countries have consistently advocated dialogue, negotiation, and peaceful resolution of issues with the Islamic Republic of Iran, commending in particular the role of the Sultanate of Oman in facilitating such efforts.
Reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy, the Council stressed that dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the current crisis and preserving regional security and stability. It cautioned that further escalation could destabilize the region and lead to severe consequences for international peace and security.
In closing, the Council conveyed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and expressed wishes for a swift recovery for those injured.
