U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council Express Concern Over Regional Security Threats from Iran

The governments of the United States and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed concern regarding the supply of missiles and drones to proxy forces by the Islamic Republic and the threats to regional security, following a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on Friday. In their statement, the ministers expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and emphasized their commitment to cooperate with each other to address the regional activities of the Islamic Republic, including Tehran's threats against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and support for militia groups seeking to destabilize the region. They reiterated their previous claims regarding the UAE's ownership of three Iranian islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, calling for a "peaceful solution" through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice to resolve this dispute. Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are an inseparable and eternal part of its territory and considers any comments regarding these islands as interference in its sovereign affairs, condemning them. The Gulf Cooperation Council and U.S. foreign ministers also expressed support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, calling for Iran's full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the cessation of Tehran's non-peaceful nuclear activities. The attendees of the meeting also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation of civilians in Yemen and urged the Houthis to facilitate safe, rapid, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Yemen. They also committed to working together to establish an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas in accordance with the proposal put forth by Joe Biden. The meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council and U.S. foreign ministers was held on September 25, 2023, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari Foreign Minister.