The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al-Budaiwi, called for a firm international stance against Iranian aggressions and threats by the Houthi group to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stressing that they constitute a violation of international law and a direct threat to international navigation freedom.

Al-Budaiwi said, during a speech to a high-level session of the UN Security Council in New York titled 'Governance of Natural Resources: A Pillar for Peace, Security and Prosperity,' that these actions require 'immediate accountability' and ensuring respect for the rules of international law and protecting vital infrastructure related to energy and natural resources.

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He added that the GCC states have made good governance of natural resources a fundamental pillar of their policies, noting that the GCC countries possess about 30 percent of global oil reserves and about 20 percent of natural gas reserves, making them a key partner in the stability of energy markets.

Al-Budaiwi strongly condemned what he described as 'irresponsible and hostile' statements by the Houthi group, considering that the threat to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens the safety of international navigation.