The statement, issued by the governments of the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, follows a wave of Iranian strikes that targeted several countries in the region, in a retaliatory action by the Islamic Republic following the US-Israeli strikes against Iran that resulted in the death of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family.
“The United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemn the indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against sovereign territories in the region, including Bahrain, Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Emirates “These unjustified strikes targeted sovereign territories, endangered civilian populations and damaged civilian infrastructure,” the statement said. read.
“The actions of the Islamic Republic represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of several states and threatens regional stability. Targeting civilians and countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behavior,” the statement added.
The seven governments reaffirmed what they described as their inherent right to self-defense under international law and emphasized unity in protecting their citizens and territorial integrity.
“We are united to defend our citizens, our sovereignty and our territory,” the statement said.
The signatories also praised what they described as effective coordination of air and missile defense, which they said helped prevent much greater loss of life and destruction. “We remain committed to regional security and welcome the effective cooperation in air and missile defense which has prevented much greater loss of life and destruction,” the statement added.
The recognition highlights growing security cooperation between the United States, Gulf countries and regional partners, amid growing threats from Tehran's missile and drone capabilities and escalating tensions.
