IRIA News

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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take urgent action to stop ongoing Iranian attacks across the Gulf region, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to international peace, energy security, and global trade.

Speaking at the UNSC, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi described the attacks as a “flagrant violation” of international law and the United Nations Charter. He urged the Council to “take all necessary measures” to end the strikes and prevent further escalation.

He emphasized the need to “protect maritime corridors and guarantee the uninterrupted maritime navigation through all strategic waterways,” highlighting the growing risks to critical shipping routes in the region.

AlBudaiwi also stressed that GCC member states, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, must be included in any future negotiations with Iran to ensure long-term regional stability and prevent repeated attacks.

“The GCC reaffirms the urgent need to halt these attacks immediately; restore security, stability, and calm in the region, and ensure the safety of air and maritime navigation, the safety of international supply chains, and the protection of global energy markets,” he said.

خلال احاطته رفيعة المستوى بمجلس الأمن، معالي الأمين العام @jasemalbudaiwi : يدعو مجلس الأمن إلى اتخاذ جميع الإجراءات الكفيلة من أجل الوقف الفوري للاعتداءات الإيرانية الغادرة على دول المجلس .https://t.co/K7hKYDguLB#مجلس_التعاون #GCC#الأمم_المتحدة #UN#نيويورك #Newyork pic.twitter.com/8qAKG698dc

— مجلس التعاون (@GCCSG) April 2, 2026

UN Security Council Recognizes GCC Role

In a significant development, the UNSC issued its first-ever presidential statement focused on cooperation with the GCC. The statement acknowledged the organization’s “position and expertise in understanding and promoting regional sustainable peace and security.”

The Council also recognized the GCC’s contributions to regional stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, and technical support.

Established in 1981, the GCC has evolved into a major regional organization with growing influence in international diplomacy. Its member states collectively produce around 16 million barrels of oil per day and 442 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, making the bloc a key pillar of the global energy system.

AlBudaiwi highlighted this role, stating that the GCC is “a cornerstone of the global economy” and warning that “any disruption in the Gulf immediately affects global markets.”

“Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,” he added.

Disruption in Global Energy Markets

A central concern raised during the meeting was the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.

Iran has effectively restricted access to the strait as part of its response to ongoing military operations by the United States and Israel. This has caused major disruptions to global energy flows, with reports indicating that around 400 million barrels of oil, roughly four days of global supply, have been removed from the market.

As a result, global energy prices have surged by nearly 50%, while shipping, aviation, and supply chains across multiple sectors have been significantly impacted.

GCC officials warned that continued disruption in the strait could lead to one of the most severe economic shocks since the 1990–1991 Gulf War, underlining the global consequences of the crisis.

Ongoing Conflict and Regional Impact

The current escalation began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a wave of retaliatory attacks by Tehran. Since then, Iran has carried out daily missile and drone strikes across the region.

While Iranian officials have stated that the attacks are acts of self-defense targeting US and Israeli-linked assets, GCC representatives argue that civilian infrastructure and energy facilities have also been hit.

According to reports, thousands of drones and missiles have been launched, with approximately 85% of them targeting Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates has been among the most heavily affected.

The sustained attacks have heightened security concerns across the region, with GCC states prioritizing efforts to end the conflict quickly and prevent further escalation.

Push for Stronger UN-GCC Cooperation

UN officials and member states emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC, particularly in addressing shared challenges such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and regional conflicts.

Khaled Khiari stressed that the ongoing escalation highlights the urgency of coordinated multilateral action. He noted that strengthening ties between the UN and the GCC is “not only timely, but necessary” to address evolving threats.

The presidential statement encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General and called for enhanced institutional cooperation between the two bodies.

It also requested that the UN Secretary-General include recommendations on strengthening UN-GCC relations in future reports to the Security Council and General Assembly.

Diverging International Positions

Despite broad agreement on the need for stability, divisions remain among major powers regarding the causes of the conflict.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and France have placed primary responsibility on Iran for escalating tensions and attempting to disrupt international navigation.

In contrast, Russia and China have argued that the conflict is rooted in what they describe as unprovoked actions by the United States and Israel, calling for a more balanced assessment.

China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point peace initiative, which includes an immediate ceasefire, the resumption of negotiations, the protection of civilian infrastructure, and the safeguarding of maritime routes.

Bahrain Pushes Draft Resolution

Bahrain has taken a leading role in pushing for international action, submitting a draft resolution to the Security Council addressing threats to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stated that Iran’s actions represent an “unlawful and unjustified attempt” to control international waterways, calling for a decisive response from the Council.

The proposed resolution aligns with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees the right of transit passage through strategic straits without obstruction.

Council members are expected to vote on the draft in the coming days, with expectations of intense debate given the current geopolitical divisions.

Growing Urgency Amid Continued Fighting

As fighting continues, there are currently no clear signs of a diplomatic breakthrough. While there have been unverified reports of possible contacts between the United States and Iran, Tehran has denied any such developments.

The ongoing conflict continues to threaten not only regional stability but also the broader global economy, particularly through its impact on energy markets and trade routes.

GCC states have reiterated that their primary objective is to bring an immediate end to hostilities and restore stability across the region. The situation remains highly volatile, with the risk of further escalation continuing to dominate international concerns.