He also emphasized the need to make every possible effort to achieve de-escalation, paving the way for diplomatic solutions that would deliver positive outcomes, preserve the region‘s security and stability, and prevent the situation from escalating into a broader conflict with repercussions for regional and international security and stability.
Archiv: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) / Golf-Kooperationsrat ( Bahrain / Kuwait / Oman / Qatar / Saudi Arabia / United Arab Emirates (UAE) / war coalition
Trump says Mideast allies have reached outlines of deal to end Iran war, says US to stop new strike
Trump added that the emerging deal „would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran‘s nuclear threat.“
„Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,“ Trump said.
Report: Saudis want US alliance, nuclear program in exchange for deal with Israel
(May 23, 2023)
Amid reports that the US is mediating a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Channel 12 reports on apparent Saudi and US demands for the deal to go ahead.
The report says that Saudi Arabia is demanding the Biden administration unfreeze several major arms deals, a military alliance with the US and a full nuclear program.
Iran in âreal danger of overplaying its handâ
âTehran has repeatedly overplayed its hand throughout history, and these repeated attacks across the Gulf Cooperation Council could end up making the Strait of Hormuz redundant,â Kamrava told Al Jazeera.
He noted some Gulf countries have already invested in alternative routes to export oil and gas.
âTehran is running a real danger of overplaying its hand,â Kamrava reiterated.
High Representative of EU and Bahrain, as Presidency of GCC, issue statement on Strait of Hormuz and Freedom of Navigation
Brussels, Jul. 18 (BNA): On the occasion of the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation, held in Brussels on 13 July, co-chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the European Union, and Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in his capacity as President of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the High Representative and the Presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council issued the following joint statement:
1. The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council reaffirm that freedom of navigation, including the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strait used for international navigation, are guaranteed under international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These rights belong to the ships of all States and cannot be suspended, impeded, or made conditional by any State.
2. We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks carried out by Iran against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and against the sovereign territory of States of the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan. These attacks endangered civilian lives and mariners, violated international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and are wholly unjustifiable.
3. We reject as unlawful any assertion of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz by any State, and we oppose any regime of permits, transit tolls, or service fees imposed upon international shipping. No bilateral arrangement, understanding, or memorandum between States can unlawfully govern or restrict the right of passage through an international strait, which is guaranteed to all States under international law and cannot be subordinated to the control or permission of any State.
4. We express our full solidarity with the States affected by these attacks and with the seafarers of all nationalities placed in danger. An attack on the security of one is a concern for all who depend on the safety of this vital waterway.
5. We call upon Iran to cease immediately and unconditionally all attacks and all interference with maritime navigation; to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, sustainably and without condition, toll, or fee; and to comply fully with international law and with Security Council Resolution 2817. We reject the imposition of any unilateral or unlawful mechanism or arrangement affecting safe passage through the Strait. States must work within and support international and regional institutions responsible for maritime governance, safety, and security, particularly the International Maritime Organisation.
6. The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council will continue to coordinate closely to uphold freedom of navigation, to support the protection of international shipping and seafarers, and to advance a just and durable peace and security in the region, consistent with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
7. We continue to call for restraint and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis and to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Co-chairs Statement by the High Representative and the Kingdom of Bahrain as Presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the Strait of Hormuz and Freedom of Navigation
13.07.2026 Brussels, 13 July 2026
EEAS Press Team
On the occasion of the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation, held in Brussels on 13 July 2026, co-chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the European Union, and HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in his capacity as President of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the High Representative and Presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council issued the following joint statement:
1. The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council reaffirm that freedom of navigation, including the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strait used for international navigation, are guaranteed under international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These rights belong to the ships of all States and cannot be suspended, impeded, or made conditional by any State.
2. We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks carried out by Iran against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and against the sovereign territory of States of the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan. These attacks endangered civilian lives and mariners, violated international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and are wholly unjustifiable.
3. We reject as unlawful any assertion of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz by any State, and we oppose any regime of permits, transit tolls, or service fees imposed upon international shipping. No bilateral arrangement, understanding, or memorandum between States can unlawfully govern or restrict the right of passage through an international strait, which is guaranteed to all States under international law and cannot be subordinated to the control or permission of any State.
4. We express our full solidarity with the States affected by these attacks and with the seafarers of all nationalities placed in danger. An attack on the security of one is a concern for all who depend on the safety of this vital waterway.
5. We call upon Iran to cease immediately and unconditionally all attacks and all interference with maritime navigation; to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, sustainably and without condition, toll, or fee; and to comply fully with international law and with Security Council Resolution 2817. We reject the imposition of any unilateral or unlawful mechanism or arrangement affecting safe passage through the Strait. States must work within and support international and regional institutions responsible for maritime governance, safety, and security, particularly the International Maritime Organisation.
6. The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council will continue to coordinate closely to uphold freedom of navigation, to support the protection of international shipping and seafarers, and to advance a just and durable peace and security in the region, consistent with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
7. We continue to call for restraint and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis and to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
EU, Gulf states call on Iran to unconditionally reopen Strait of Hormuz
CAIRO â 19 July 2026: The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Saturday called on Iran to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without imposing any conditions or transit fees.
In a joint statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and the GCC presidency strongly condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the vital strait.
HE GCCSG: Treacherous Iranian Regime‘s Targeting of Infrastructure and Civilian Facilities in Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Constitutes War Crimes Requiring Immediate International Accountability
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, alongside the targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities, which resulted in the injury of a number of civilian workers in the State of Kuwait.
„Iran‘s actions constitute a highly dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter, as well as war crimes requiring international accountability and prosecution, given the deliberate targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities in flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions, and a persistent determination to destabilise regional security and stability,“ His Excellency underlined.
Moreover, His Excellency stressed that the GCC stands as one with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, supporting all measures they take to protect their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while expressing his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured individuals in the State of Kuwait.â
Oman and Saudi discuss means of strengthening ties cooperation
After that, an expanded talks session was convened with the participation of a number of ministers and senior officials from both sides. The discussions addressed various tracks of cooperation â including economic, investment and logistic domains â and explored opportunities for their development in a manner that supports integration, enhances the smooth flow of trade and opens broader horizons for practical partnership at both the bilateral and regional levels, as well as within the framework of Gulf cooperation among the GCC member states.
Iran condemns US attack, expresses solidarity with Oman
(today)
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned the US attack on areas near Iranâs Bandar Abbas, and expressed solidarity with Oman after âUS officialsâ threatsâ in a statement delivered on Thursday.
This follows US President Donald Trumpâs threats to âblow upâ Oman if it joins Iran in imposing fees on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Threatens to âBlow Upâ U.S. Ally Oman Over Strait of Hormuz
âThe Strait is going to be open to everybody,â Trump told reporters at the White House. âItâs international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or weâll have to blow them up. They understand that, theyâll be fine.â
Oman, a strategic partner of the U.S. for more than 50 years, has played a key role in efforts to mediate a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump says will hold off planned Iran attack after request from Qatari, Saudi and UAE leaders
(3h ago (19:00 GMT)
The US president says he was asked by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan âto hold off on our planned Military attackâ on Iran, âwhich was scheduled for tomorrowâ.
Trump said the Gulf leaders had noted âthat serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyondâ.
âThis Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!â he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Gulf States to Win NATO Summit Invites With Iran War on Agenda
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is planning to invite representative from four Gulf states to the summit in Ankara with the Iran war and the transatlantic rift likely to loom large over the talks, said people familiar with the matter.
The countries â Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates â are all members of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, a partnership between NATO and non-members in the broader Middle East.
UAE pushed GCC to join coordinated war against Iran, bloomberg reports
Bloomberg reported that the United Arab Emirates unsuccessfully attempted to persuade fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to join a coordinated military campaign against Iran during the early stages of the US-Israeli war.
According to the report, Abu Dhabi sought support from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman for a joint response following Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region.
Saudi crown prince condemns Iran attacks in call with UAE president
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spoken with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address recent Iranian missile and drone strikes, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During the call, the crown prince conveyed Riyadhâs position on the attacks and reiterated support for the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar emir condemns Iran attacks in call with UAE president
Qatarâs emir, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, has condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates during a phone call with President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, according to an official statement.
The emir criticised the strikes, saying they targeted civilian sites and infrastructure.
Israel Found the Hamas Money Machine Years Ago. Nobody Turned It Off.
(December 16, 2023)
Israeli leaders believed that Hamas was more interested in governing than fighting. By the time the agents discovered the ledgers in 2018, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was encouraging the government of Qatar to deliver millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip. He gambled that the money would buy stability and peace.
Mr. Levy recalled briefing Mr. Netanyahu personally in 2015 about the Hamas portfolio.
Iran offers Hormuz deal without nuclear talks, as it seeks broader buy-in
(April 27, 2026)
Sources close to these diplomatic efforts told Al Jazeera that senior intelligence officials from several countries were present at the Muscat talks.
Iran‘s supreme leader vows ânew phaseâ in Hormuz
In a statement released on the 40th day since the assassination of former Supreme Leader, Khamenei affirmed that Tehran âconsiders all resistance fronts as a unified entity,“ adding that Iran is still awaiting an appropriate response from neighbors âso that we may show you our brotherhood and goodwill.â
Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted nine drones over the past hours
(today)
Several Gulf nations, including Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait, have also reported missile and drone attacks on their territories, hours after Iran and the US announced a two-week ceasefire.
The situation in the Middle East – Security Council, 10130th meeting
Production Date
07 Apr 2026
Video Length
02:51:06
Audio Language
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
Original
Russia, China veto UN resolution on reopening Strait of Hormuz
The draft resolution prepared by Bahrain and supported by the United States received 11 votes in favor, two against and two abstentions.
(…)
In 2011, NATO obtained the green light to intervene in Libya when Russia abstained from a vote. Moscow later fumed that this had led to the fall of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
‚Stop This Madness‘: Former IAEA Chief Urges Gulf, UN To Act Before ‚Madman‘ Trump Turns Region Into ‚Ball Of Fire‘
In his post in Arabic, he implored regional leaders to take immediate diplomatic action. „Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of fire,“ the former IAEA chief wrote, directing his remarks at the neighbouring Gulf states.
The warning follows a sharp pivot in Washington‘s rhetoric, where Trump threatened the destruction of essential Iranian infrastructure and the forced reopening of the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement is not reached within the specified deadline.
ElBaradei also questioned the role of international institutions in preventing an all-out war. In a separate post written in English and addressed to the United Nations, he asked if „nothing can be done to stop this madness?“
Hundreds Protest in Damascus, Storm UAE Embassy & Raise Palestinian Flag | Breaking News
#Damascus #USEmbassy #IranUSWar
Hundreds Protest in Damascus, Storm UAE Embassy & Raise Palestinian Flag | Breaking News
Syrians protest outside UAE embassy in Damascus in solidarity with Palestine
Syrian protesters gathered outside the UAE embassy in Damascus to express unwavering solidarity with Palestine, vehemently opposing the newly approved Israeli law permitting the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners alongside the ongoing closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
A Reuters reporter saw dozens of protesters gathering outside the UAE‘s embassy in Damascus at midday on Friday, including some chanting „the Zionist embassy“.
Protesters Chanting âZionist Embassyâ Attempt To Storm UAE Mission In Damascus
According to a report by Reuters, the situation escalated when a group split from a larger pro-Palestinian protest at Umayyad Square and attempted to move towards the embassy. A Syrian security official said forces intervened to stop them.
âInternal security forces prevented them from doing so and dealt with the situation,“ the official said, speaking anonymously.
Chinese drone downed in Iran, sparking questions about UAE or Saudi Arabian role
Nicole Grajewski, the author of Russia and Iran: Partners in Defiance from Syria to Ukraine, said that Iran does not possess the Wing Loong Drone in its arsenal.
Neither the US nor Israel is known to operate Wing Loong II drones, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE have them in their arsenal.
The Wing Loong drone has featured prominently in Sudanâs civil war, where the UAE has deployed them in support of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, according to The New York Times.
A Bid to Use Force to Open Strait of Hormuz Hits Roadblocks at U.N. Security Council
The actual vote on the resolution, which was drafted by Bahrain with the support of the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, is expected to be scheduled for Friday. But it remained unclear whether extra hours of diplomacy would bring the three veto-holding countries on board.
Russia, China and France are among the five permanent members of the council with veto power. There were also divisions over the resolution among the 10 nonpermanent members, according to diplomats.
Russia, China, France veto UNSC resolution to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Arab nations, led by Bahrain, seeking UN Security Council authorisation for military intervention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have faced a major setback as Russia, China and France vetoed the proposed resolution.
The strategic Strait of Hormuzâthrough which approximately 20 per cent of the worldâs oil and gas supplies transitâwas closed by Iran on 28 February 2026 amid escalating conflict with the United States and Israel.
UN Security Council split over Bahrain draft calling for âall necessary meansâ to secure Strait of Hormuz
The initial draft, seen by The National, explicitly cited Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which grants the Security Council authority to impose measures ranging from sanctions to military action.
Iran confirms no talks held with US during war
Arab officials said their efforts to broker an understanding between Tehran and Washington have so far failed to yield results.
Baghaei confirmed that Iran has received messages through some friendly countries over the past few days regarding the US request for negotiations to end the ongoing war. He said Iran has responded appropriately and based on the Islamic Republicâs principled positions.
FULL REMARKS: AmirâSaeid Iravani Addresses United Nations on Iran & Middle East Crisis | AC15
Mar 11, 2026 #UNSecurityCouncil #MiddleEastCrisis #IsraelLebanon
AmirâSaeid Iravani, Ambassador of Iran to the United Nations, delivered remarks during a session of the United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters in New York City addressing the escalating situation in the Middle East. Iranâs envoy condemned military strikes against Iran and warned that continued aggression threatens regional and global stability. He urged the international community to uphold international law and the UN Charter while emphasizing that Iran will defend its sovereignty and people if attacks continue. Iranâs delegation also called for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and protect civilians across the region.
âUnjust, unlawfulâ: Tehran doesnât recognize anti-Iran UNSC resolution on US-Israeli aggression
âAccordingly, we do not recognize the Councilâs action today. We consider it unjust and unlawful, inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and international law, and an action that completely disregards the established principles governing the determination of acts of aggression and breaches of the peace,â he said.
Meanwhile, the Iranian envoy blasted the Security Council members that voted in favor of the resolution, particularly the European ones, saying they have demonstrated that their claims of defending the UN Charter and international law are nothing more than empty words.
âTheir hypocritical and irresponsible conduct once again demonstrates that political considerations take precedence over their professed commitment to international law and the UN Charter,â he noted.