GCC States Reserve Right to Collective Self-Defense Against Iran
Quick Look
- GCC states affirmed their right to collective self-defense against Iran, stating an attack on one is an assault on all.
- They reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has issued a statement affirming its members' right to collective self-defense against Iran. This comes amid reported Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting GCC member states and US military bases, as well as US retaliatory strikes on Iran.
DOHA, June 10. /TASS/. Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reserve the right to collective self-defense and to respond by all lawful means in the face of attacks by Iran, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the bloc's Ministerial Council in Manama.
"The Council affirms the established and legitimate right of its states to defend themselves, individually and collectively, and to respond to this aggression by all legitimate means, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," the statement said.
The document stressed that the security of GCC member states is indivisible and that an attack on one of them would be regarded as an assult on the bloc as a whole. The ministers also said that air defense systems had successfully intercepted Iranian missiles and drones launched toward Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
Overnight into Wednesday, US armed forces carried out strikes on Iranian territory in response to the destruction of a US military helicopter. Iran subsequently targeted US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. Later, US President Donald Trump threatened to order new strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further military actions or escalations between Iran and the US/GCC states.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific 'lawful means' will GCC states employ if further attacks occur?
- What is the exact nature and extent of the damage from the US strikes on Iran and Iranian strikes on US bases?
- Will the US President's threat of further strikes on Iranian infrastructure be carried out?
- What is the current status of diplomatic relations between the GCC, Iran, and the US?
