Blitz Bureau
THE Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an informal joint ministerial meeting with Iran to discuss the recent regional developments, on the sidelines of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit in Doha this week.
The Secretary-General of the Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed the importance of reducing escalation, exercising maximum self-restraint, and sparing the region further instability.
The Secretary General stressed that during the meeting, the importance of continuing this bilateral communication between the GCC countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran was highlighted, with the aim of reaching understandings that foster a positive environment and contribute to the constructive enhancement of relations between the GCC and Iran, reported WAM.
Reuters news agency reported the GCC declared its neutrality regarding the conflict between Iran and Israel, after Iran launched a barrage of projectiles into Israel on October1, threatening a wider regional conflict. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait said they will not permit the United States to use their airbase for military aggression against Iran.
The meeting was chaired by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, current president of the ministerial council. It included the participation of the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries and Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on October 3 in Doha, Qatar.
Speaking at the event in Doha, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterated that any direct attack, terrorist activity, or breach of Iran’s red lines would prompt a decisive response from Iranian armed forces.
Tensions in the Middle East significantly increased after Israel intensified activity in Lebanon via airstrikes and a ground incursion in the south.
