HIBAPRESS – Agencies
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries affirmed that they will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability, in response to Iranian attacks.
The statement issued by the 50th extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States regarding the Iranian aggression against the GCC countries, which was held yesterday via video conference, stated that "in light of this unjustified aggression against the GCC countries, they will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and protect their lands, citizens, and residents, including the option of responding to the aggression." The Ministerial Council expressed its rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms of these heinous Iranian attacks that targeted the GCC countries in addition to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in a serious violation of the sovereignty of these countries, and the principles of good neighborliness, and a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, regardless of the pretexts and justifications, as well as the targeting of civilians and civilian objects constitutes a serious violation of the rules of international humanitarian law. The Council also expressed full solidarity among the GCC countries and their standing as one to confront these attacks, stressing that the security of its countries is indivisible, and that any aggression against any member state is a direct aggression against all GCC countries, according to the basic system of the Cooperation Council and the Joint Defense Agreement, stressing the GCC countries' right to respond, in accordance with Article (51) of the United Nations Charter, which guarantees the right to self-defense for states individually and collectively in the event of aggression, and to take all measures that preserve their sovereignty, security, and stability. The statement stressed the need for an immediate cessation of these attacks, to restore security, peace, and stability in the region, emphasizing the importance of maintaining air and sea security and waterways in the region, and the safety of supply chains, and ensuring the stability of global energy markets, and confirming that the stability of the Arabian Gulf region is not only a regional issue but is a fundamental pillar for the stability of the global economy and maritime navigation. The Ministerial Council also called on the international community to condemn these attacks and strongly denounce them, and called on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities by taking an immediate and firm stance to prevent these violations that endanger the lives of the population and prevent their recurrence, due to their dangerous repercussions on regional and international peace.
