Iran's Protest Against the Gulf Cooperation Council Statement

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry addressed the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stating that instead of 'spreading lies' and presenting 'baseless claims' against the three Iranian islands, they should focus on the 'main problems of the Islamic world' and the controversial U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem. ILNA news agency reported on Thursday, December 7, these remarks made by Bahram Qasemi in response to the final statement of the GCC summit held in Kuwait. The GCC summit, which took place on Tuesday in Kuwait, strongly criticized Iran in its final statement, accusing it of continuing the 'occupation' of the three islands and condemning what they termed 'Iran's terrorist actions and interventions in the region.' In response, Bahram Qasemi described the council as 'ineffective and sterile,' asserting that the recent statement from the GCC leaders 'clearly demonstrates the inefficacy and sterility of this council, which suffers from internal disputes and unrealistic policies.' He noted that the statement 'reflects a disregard for regional realities and a failure to acknowledge the current critical priorities' and that the council 'has merely addressed worthless matters in this regard and has clearly shirked its Islamic and humanitarian duties towards Palestine.' Qasemi added that the GCC should have focused on the main issues of the Islamic world, supporting the oppressed Palestinian people and addressing the provocative U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem. U.S. President Donald Trump ended years of U.S. policy regarding Jerusalem by recognizing it as the capital of Israel, a decision that faced negative reactions from several Western countries, including Britain and France. Iran also strongly protested this decision, deeming it a cause for 'the sanctioning of Muslims.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson further addressed the civil war in Yemen, criticizing the positions of the GCC member states, stating that the council has been indifferent to the 'daily crimes of Saudi Arabia and its few accomplices against the innocent people of Yemen' and has 'stood alongside the criminals.' Qasemi also referred to the members of the council as being 'in the midst of conflict' and 'disunited,' asserting that it is Tehran that plays a 'central role' in the fight against terrorism in the region. He added that the GCC should 'step away from deflection and falsehood and take steps towards a deep and accurate understanding of regional realities, advising its members against aggression and bullying towards other members and recognizing the rights of their citizens.' Qasemi also reacted strongly to the UAE's claims of ownership over the three islands, deeming such statements as 'an open intervention in the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a violation of international laws and regulations.' He stated that 'the presentation of such baseless and fabricated claims cannot change historical and legal facts.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Tehran is always ready for negotiations and consultations with the council members aimed at reducing tensions and ultimately resolving regional issues. In addition to the deterioration of relations between Iran and several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, relations among the Gulf Arab states and Qatar have also faced a crisis. The severity of these disputes led the Emir of Kuwait to suspend the two-day GCC summit just hours after it began due to diplomatic disagreements concerning relations with Qatar. According to the Associated Press, the sudden end of this summit raises questions about the future of the GCC, which includes six Arab countries in the Persian Gulf and was essentially formed as a counterweight to the Iranian government. Disputes between some Gulf countries and the Qatari government led to a severe diplomatic crisis in June of this year, with Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia blocking maritime and air routes to Qatar and its small border with Saudi Arabia. The blockade and sanctions initially posed problems for Qatar, but quickly led to Doha replacing its trade routes with Iran and Turkey instead of Arab countries.