Riyadh/Doha/Kuwait City -UNS: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have significantly increased diplomatic contacts and high-level consultations following Iran’s attacks on Bahrain, Qatar and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours. At least seven important diplomatic contacts were made over the course of two days, including two official visits and five high-level telephone consultations, while several official statements were also issued from various Gulf capitals.
In the latest developments, reports of Iranian missile attacks on Bahrain and Qatar emerged on Thursday morning, while Jordan announced that Iranian missiles that entered its airspace were successfully destroyed.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation, in which the escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, regional security and the current situation were reviewed in detail.
The Qatari Foreign Minister strongly condemned the attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that such actions pose a serious threat to international maritime security, global trade and regional stability. He stressed that diplomacy is the only effective way to restore trust, reduce tensions and achieve regional peace.
The two leaders agreed that all parties should implement the agreements reached under the Memorandum of Understanding in order to ensure regional security, stability and protection of economic interests.
At the same time, the Saudi Foreign Minister also spoke by telephone with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in which the current tensions, diplomatic efforts and a peaceful resolution of the dispute were discussed.
The Saudi and Omani foreign ministers met in Muscat on Wednesday to discuss the security of the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of international navigation, the protection of global energy supplies, and the need to resolve differences through negotiations.
Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani also expressed his deep concern over the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, targeting the Saudi tanker “Wadyan” and a Qatari oil tanker during his contact with the Saudi foreign minister. He said that attacks on commercial ships are a clear violation of international law, the principles of global navigation, and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
On the other hand, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Kuwait on a fraternal visit on Thursday, where he was received by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mashaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, and senior officials. On this occasion, consultations were held between the two countries on regional security, Gulf cooperation, and the current crisis.
On the same day, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan also held a phone call, in which the recent military tensions between the United States and Iran and the overall situation in the region were discussed.
During his talks with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi, the Qatari Prime Minister reiterated Doha’s support for every diplomatic effort aimed at ending tensions, establishing a comprehensive political agreement and establishing lasting peace in the region.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense said that on Thursday morning, the armed forces detected and successfully destroyed three ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and ten drones that entered the country’s airspace. Bahrain’s defense force also called for immediate and effective action from the international community, calling the use of missiles and drones on civilian populations and private property a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
