GCC and UK foreign ministers held an extraordinary meeting to condemn Iran’s attacks on GCC states and Jordan, welcoming UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and pledging joint diplomatic efforts to restore regional stability.
MANAMA: In a show of transatlantic solidarity rarely seen at this scale, the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Kingdom convened an extraordinary meeting to coordinate their response to what they described as blatant Iranian aggression against GCC member states and Jordan.
The GCC side was led by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain and current Chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council. The UK was represented by Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi also participated.
The ministers welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned Iran’s attacks on GCC territories and Jordan in the strongest terms, describing them as a violation of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security. The resolution, co-sponsored by 136 UN member states, demands that Iran immediately cease all attacks and halt any provocations or threats against neighbouring states, including through the use of proxy forces.
The joint statement was unambiguous on self-defence. Ministers recalled the inherent right of GCC states, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, to defend themselves individually and collectively against Iran’s armed attacks, affirming that all necessary measures to protect their security, territories, citizens, and residents remain firmly on the table.
On diplomacy, the ministers commended Oman’s constructive role in de-escalation efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue as the path to a lasting resolution. They also agreed to pursue joint efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, halt its ballistic missile and drone development, and end its destabilising activities across the region.
The UK’s contribution to regional security drew warm recognition, with ministers expressing appreciation for the deployment of RAF Typhoon jets in defensive operations. The UK, in turn, thanked GCC states for their hospitality and support to British nationals in the region.
Progress on the long-awaited GCC-UK Free Trade Agreement also featured, with both sides welcoming recent momentum and expressing a shared desire to conclude negotiations as quickly as possible.
