Gulf Cooperation Council Warns Iran on Uranium Enrichment and Arash Oil Field

Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states urged Iranian officials not to enrich uranium beyond the limits necessary for peaceful nuclear activities and to abandon claims of ownership over the Al-Durra oil field. The Arash gas field, located in the northern Persian Gulf, was discovered in 1967 by the Japanese oil company E.O.C. It is estimated to contain 20 trillion cubic feet of gas and nearly 310 million barrels of oil. This oil and gas field, referred to as 'Arash' by Iran and 'Al-Durra' by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has been a contentious issue for decades. According to Arab media reports, the GCC ministers, during their 157th meeting chaired by Oman's Foreign Minister Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busaidi, also called on Iran to adhere to its nuclear commitments and actively cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its nuclear file. The meeting also emphasized the need to address all issues, including the security concerns of the Gulf states, within the framework of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program to achieve common goals and interests based on respect for national sovereignty, good neighborliness, and adherence to international laws and UN resolutions to ensure regional and international security and stability. The council also stressed the importance of countering any threats to maritime shipping, international trade, and oil facilities of the GCC member states. The participating ministers welcomed the establishment of a global water organization based in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and reiterated Saudi Arabia and Kuwait's claims of full, joint, and exclusive ownership over regional resources and the Arash (Al-Durra) oil field. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia agreed to begin the development of the Al-Durra (Arash) field without Iranian involvement. Iran stated that the Saudi consulate in Mashhad began operations 'in a hotel.' The dispute over the gas field continues, with Saudi Arabia asserting that the Al-Durra (Arash) gas field belongs to Riyadh and Kuwait. Early challenges to the Iran-Saudi agreement are emerging, with rhetoric increasing over the Arash gas field. Iran claims it will pursue its 'rights' in the Arash field, while Kuwait has begun drilling and production from the Arash gas field. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia emphasize their 'exclusive rights' to the Arash oil and gas field.