Saudi Arabia discusses regional security and freedom of navigation with Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held phone calls on Sunday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that during the calls, they reviewed developments in the region, stressed condemnation of repeated Iranian attacks against regional countries, and rejected anything that could undermine the sovereignty of states or threaten the security and stability of the region.
They also exchanged views on a number of topics, foremost among them efforts to restore security and de-escalation, and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to SPA.
The Saudi calls coincided with condemnation statements issued by a number of Arab and Gulf states. Earlier on Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom's strongest condemnation and denunciation of Iran's continued behavior that destabilizes the region's security and stability, and its violation of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the rules of good neighborliness.
The Ministry also condemned "the continued Iranian aggressions against the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," reiterating its complete rejection of Iran's violation of the sovereignty of brotherly states and its continued threat to the region's security and stability.
Gulf and Arab states condemn Iranian attacks
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry condemned the continued Iranian attacks on its territory, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan, affirming that these attacks constitute a dangerous escalation threatening the region's security and stability.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the official news agency that the Iranian attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, a serious breach of the rules of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the OIC, Security Council Resolution 2817, and the principles of good neighborliness.
The Ministry stressed the right of Bahrain and other states to take all legitimate measures to defend their sovereignty, security, and stability, and protect citizens and residents on their territories, in accordance with the provisions of international law, the UN Charter, and the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint defense agreement, while committing to the highest levels of restraint and ensuring conflict resolution through dialogue and peaceful means.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry renewed its call on the international community, especially the Security Council, to assume its legal responsibilities and take firm and deterrent action against Iran's continued attacks on regional states.
Qatar also condemned in the strongest terms the renewed attacks launched by Iran on its territory and on the territories of a number of regional states, saying the attacks constitute "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the targeted states, and a blatant breach of international law, the UN Charter, and the principles of good neighborliness."
The Qatari Foreign Ministry affirmed that the continuation of these attacks represents "a dangerous escalation that would complicate efforts to contain tension and undermine political and diplomatic endeavors aimed at achieving security and stability in the region."
Doha held Iran "fully legally responsible for these attacks and their repercussions and consequences."
It stated that Qatar "retains its full right to respond, in accordance with the provisions of international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and citizens."
The Omani Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it had summoned Iranian Ambassador Mousa Farhang to hand him a protest note following the targeting of sites in Musandam and Al Wusta governorates by drones.
It stated in a statement that Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs Khalid bin Hashil Al Muslahi summoned the Iranian ambassador to hand him a protest note over the attacks.
It reported that Al Muslahi expressed during the meeting the Sultanate of Oman's dismay at these irresponsible acts, "calling for the necessity of adhering to the provisions of state sovereignty, good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and respecting the ethical norms and values that bind the two neighboring countries and peoples."
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry expressed the State of Kuwait's strong condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Iranian attacks that targeted the State of Kuwait on Sunday.
It said the attacks "reflect a determination on a repeated hostile approach, and constitute a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait, a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and a serious breach of the rules of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817."
The Ministry affirmed that the continuation of these attacks constitutes an extremely dangerous escalation, which would exacerbate tensions and instability in the region, threaten regional peace and security, and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and resolving crises through peaceful means.
The Ministry stressed that the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait are inviolable, and that the State of Kuwait retains all its rights to take what is necessary to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the UN Charter.
The UAE condemned in the strongest terms the renewed aggressive Iranian attacks that targeted Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman with missiles and drones.
The UAE Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement that these aggressive attacks represent a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of brotherly states and a threat to their security and stability.
The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the Sultanate of Oman, and its support for everything that preserves their security and stability.
Egypt expressed on Sunday its condemnation of the Iranian attacks that targeted the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and the Sultanate of Oman, stating that they represent "a flagrant violation" of the sovereignty of these states and "a dangerous escalation" threatening the security and stability of the Gulf region and undermining efforts to reduce tension and entrench regional security.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement Cairo's complete rejection of all Iranian attacks that target the security and sovereignty of brotherly Arab states or threaten the security and stability of the region.
Egypt expressed its full solidarity with the Gulf states and its standing by their side in facing anything that affects their security and territorial integrity.
It also stressed that "no justifications or excuses can be accepted for these rejected and reprehensible attacks," calling for an immediate halt to all escalatory actions and adherence to the rules of international law to preserve the region's security and spare its peoples further tension and instability.
Original source: Asharq News
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