Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian 'Aggression'

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a "dangerous escalation" that threatens the stability of the entire region.

In a high-level phone call, the two leaders affirmed that the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would "spare no effort" to defend their sovereign territories. They pledged to mobilize all available capabilities to preserve regional security in the face of persistent aggression.

The diplomatic coordination comes as regional authorities report that thousands of Iranian missiles and drones have targeted the Gulf since late February. The strikes have hit critical sites, including airports, ports, and energy infrastructure, as well as civilian residential areas. On Monday alone, Saudi air defenses reported a surge in drone activity, particularly in the Eastern Province, while operations at Dubai International Airport were briefly suspended following a separate drone incursion.

The Iranian envoy to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, sought to distance Tehran from the hostilities in a social media post. Enayati claimed that "the enemy"—frequently a reference to the U.S. and Israel—was deploying drones disguised as Iranian-made models to frame Tehran. He insisted Iran was only targeting U.S. and Israeli interests, a claim that was met with widespread skepticism among regional officials and analysts who pointed to recent overt threats from Iran’s military leadership.

The escalating conflict has drawn significant international attention. Last week, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, backed by 13 of its 15 members, demanding an immediate halt to the hostilities. Despite the international pressure, the barrage of aerial strikes has continued to cripple regional maritime sectors, with oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz plummeting by an estimated 86% since the onset of the crisis.

GAROWE ONLINE