International

GCC states and Jordan condemn continued Iranian attacks on their territories and affirm their inherent right to self-defense individually or collectively

Jeddah

Published: July 23, 2026 20:17 KSA

All Gulf Cooperation Council states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan expressed their unified position in condemning the sinful aggression carried out by Iran and its proxies on their territories, based on successive positions adopted by the GCC Ministerial Council and the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers, international law, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026).

The seven states affirmed that Iran's attacks on their territories, citizens, and civilian infrastructure have continued unabated since February 28, 2026, and after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 17, 2026. These attacks have particularly escalated against the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and included attacks on energy facilities, water desalination plants, ports, airports, and other civilian objects. They stressed that these ongoing attacks constitute acts of overt aggression that violate the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law, UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), and the explicit commitments made by Iran under the memorandum of understanding, and pose a threat to international peace and security.

The seven states affirmed their inherent right to self-defense, individually or collectively, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary legal measures to protect their sovereignty, territories, citizens, commercial vessels, and vital infrastructure against these ongoing attacks. The seven states welcomed the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq to restrict weapons to the state by no later than September 30, 2026, while expressing their support for the decisive and effective measures taken by the Iraqi government under its responsibility to prevent pro-Iranian factions, militias, and armed groups from continuing their hostile operations against regional states. The seven states called on the UN Security Council to issue an urgent resolution demanding an immediate halt to Iranian attacks, recognizing the right of affected states to self-defense, and to exercise its legal authority to consider additional measures if these systematic and sinful attacks do not stop. The seven states praised the bravery, professionalism, and high readiness of their armed forces in defending their sovereignty, security, stability, and civilian safety, and valued the steadfastness and unity of their citizens in facing these challenges, reflecting the resilience of their nations and the unbreakable bonds between their leadership and peoples. They reaffirmed their commitment to freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb and to maintaining regional security and stability, expressing readiness to work with all regional states and the International Maritime Organization to reach permanent arrangements consistent with international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, state sovereignty, and good neighborliness. They also affirmed their full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their complete support for the legitimate measures it takes to maintain its sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity, and their great appreciation for the diplomatic efforts made by the Kingdom and the Sultanate of Oman to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution to the Yemeni crisis, and for the developmental and humanitarian support provided by the Kingdom to the sisterly Republic of Yemen.