GCC, UK Welcome UN Resolution Condemning Iranian Attacks on Gulf States

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United Kingdom have welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which strongly condemns Iranian attacks targeting the territories of GCC member states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The resolution denounced the strikes as a violation of international law and a threat to international peace and security. It also condemned Iran for targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, service installations, and housing areas, which resulted in civilian casualties and damage to buildings.

The statement was issued following an extraordinary meeting between the foreign ministers of GCC member states and the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

The meeting was chaired by Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who currently presides over the GCC Ministerial Council. The UK delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi also in attendance.

During the meeting, GCC foreign ministers expressed their appreciation to the United Kingdom for its solidarity with the Gulf states and its continued commitment to the security, stability, and territorial integrity of the region.

They also highlighted the unprecedented level of international support shown for the GCC countries and Jordan, noting that 136 United Nations member states backed Security Council Resolution 2817.

The ministers reaffirmed the importance of the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United Kingdom, first announced during the GCC–UK Summit held in Bahrain in November 2016. They also welcomed the progress made in negotiations toward a GCC–UK Free Trade Agreement and expressed hope that it would be finalized soon.

The ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for the protection of civilians, full respect for international law and international humanitarian law, and adherence to the obligations of UN member states under the UN Charter.

They also renewed their call for Iran to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to refrain from actions that could destabilize the region, including the use of proxies and interference in the internal affairs of other countries.