The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their UK counterparts emphasized that the security and stability of the Gulf region are essential to the global economy, underlining the need to protect maritime routes and regional airspace amid rising tensions in the area.

The statement was issued in a joint communiqué following an extraordinary meeting on recent developments in the Middle East, where the ministers condemned Iran's threats to close or disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or threaten maritime security in Bab el-Mandeb, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and the security of global supply chains.

The attendees welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026, which condemned Iranian attacks on the territories of Gulf countries and Jordan, including strikes on residential areas, civilian infrastructure, and oil and service facilities, causing both human casualties and material damage.

The statement noted that the resolution garnered broad support from the international community, with 136 United Nations member states endorsing it, and urged Iran to immediately halt its attacks and refrain from any further escalatory actions or use of proxies in the region.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, commending Oman’s role in mediation. They also stressed the right of Gulf countries to defend themselves under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.