GCC States and Jordan Welcome Iraq's Arms Monopoly Decision, Condemn Iranian Aggression
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in a joint statement issued today, welcomed the decision by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi to confine arms exclusively to the state. This welcome comes as part of a unified stance expressing strong condemnation of what they described as the sinful aggression launched by Iran and its proxies on their territories. The statement affirmed that this position is based on successive resolutions adopted by the GCC Ministerial Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers of the League of Arab States, in addition to international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 issued in 2026. The statement noted that Iranian aggressions against the territories, citizens, and civilian infrastructure of these states have been ongoing since February 28, 2026, intensifying following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 17, 2026. The statement highlighted that these aggressions specifically targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, including vital facilities such as energy plants, water desalination stations, ports, airports, and other civilian assets. The statement stressed that these continuous attacks constitute blatant acts of aggression violating the United Nations Charter, international law, and international humanitarian law, as well as Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026) and the explicit commitments made by Iran under the memorandum of understanding, thereby threatening international peace and security. The states affirmed their inherent right to self-defense, individually or collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary legal measures to protect their sovereignty, territories, citizens, commercial vessels, and vital infrastructure in the face of these ongoing aggressions. The states also reiterated their welcome for the Iraqi Prime Minister's decision to confine arms to the state by no later than September 30, 2026, expressing their support for the decisive and effective measures taken by the Iraqi government to prevent armed factions from continuing hostile operations against the region's states. The states called upon the United Nations Security Council to issue an urgent resolution demanding an immediate halt to Iranian aggressions, recognizing the right of affected states to self-defense, and exercising its legal authority to consider adopting additional measures if these systematic attacks do not cease. Furthermore, the states affirmed their commitment to the freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandeb, and to maintaining regional security and stability. They expressed readiness to work with all states in the region and the International Maritime Organization to reach permanent arrangements consistent with international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the principles of state sovereignty and good neighborliness. Concluding the statement, the states declared their full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their complete support for the legitimate measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. They also expressed their high appreciation for the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Kingdom and the Sultanate of Oman to achieve a comprehensive and lasting political solution to the Yemeni crisis, and for the developmental and humanitarian support provided by Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Yemen.
