Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassim al-Budeyvi gave information about the issue at the session held by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the UN Headquarters in New York last night to discuss the situation in the Gulf.
According to the statement made by the GCC, Budeyvi asked the international community to take steps to stop Iran's attacks on the Gulf countries and to include these countries in all regulations concerning their security.
Budeyvi stated that the GCC countries are in favor of resolving crises through dialogue and diplomacy, and that they attach importance to establishing relations with Iran based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, good neighborly relations and non-interference in internal affairs.
Emphasizing that any agreement with Iran should address the security concerns of the GCC countries, Budeyvi asked that Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and support for proxy forces be addressed, and that GCC countries participate in all negotiations and arrangements that concern their security and interests.
Stating that GCC countries reject any violations against their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Budeyvi noted that these attacks violate international law and threaten international peace and security.
Budeyvi stated that the Gulf countries have been the target of more than 7 thousand missile and UAV attacks by Iran since February 28, and that they targeted airports, ports, energy and electricity facilities, water treatment facilities, residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Stating that there were deaths and injuries in the attacks, serious damage to the infrastructure and the marine environment in the Persian Gulf faced serious consequences, Budeyvi held Iran entirely responsible for the attacks and their consequences.
Stating that the GCC countries are making intense diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of tension in the region, Budeyvi called on the international community to implement the ban on arms supply to the Iran-backed Houthis and classify the group as a terrorist organization.
Pointing out that Iranian attacks and threats from the Houthis also affect international maritime transportation routes, Budeyvi emphasized that the Straits of Hormuz and Babulmandeb are of vital importance in terms of trade and energy supply, and that the security of these routes is a common international interest that goes beyond the borders of the region.
Stating that the GCC condemned the attacks targeting commercial ships, oil and natural gas tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and causing the death of some sailors, Budeyvi stated that they were against closing the strait, blocking maritime traffic or imposing illegal passage restrictions and fees.
The GCC also condemned the Houthis' attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Babulmandeb Strait.
Pointing out that world economies are interconnected, Budeyvi noted that the disruption of transportation on a sea route affects factories, companies and consumers on different continents, and that the disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz goes beyond the economic dimension and causes serious humanitarian consequences.
Budeyvi called on the UNSC and the international community to immediately and unconditionally stop the Iranian attacks on the Gulf countries and Jordan, the Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial ships, to hold those responsible accountable and to force Iran to compensate for the damages caused.
The USA and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, and a ceasefire was reached in April.
Clashes resumed between Washington and Tehran in July. While the disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz also negatively affected supply chains, diplomatic attempts to end the war were inconclusive.
Missile and UAV attacks by the Houthis against points including civilian airports and energy production facilities in Saudi Arabia have increased since July.
