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OPINION MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

RESPONSE OF THE GCC
COUNTRIES
ith the ongoing escalations,
there is a possibility of the
Wtheatre of war shifting to
the Persian Gulf, and the GCC coun-
tries are cautiously observing the situ-
ation. The presence of US bases and
the significance of the Strait of Hor-
muz make the Persian Gulf import-
ant for the region and beyond. The
GCC countries have given measured
and balanced reactions to the Iranian
attack. The Saudi Foreign Ministry
has expressed concern over the mili-
tary escalation in the region, warned
of serious consequences if the conflict
is expanded, and called for restraint
from all parties to avert the dangers
of war.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign
Affairs called for exercising the ut-
most restraint so as to avoid serious
repercussions and limit the war from
expanding to the entire region. It also
called for resolving conflicts through
dialogue and diplomatic channels,
adhering to the rule of law and re-
specting the United Nations Charter. Qassem Suleimani, who was assassinated in US drone strikes in 2020, was the ‘living martyr’ of Iran. Iranian military leaders are seen in high
Oman’s Foreign Ministry empha- regard, and the killing of Zahedi and Rahimi struck a nerve in Iran (Agency photo)
sized the importance of exercising
restraint to spare the region and its ment has imposed new sanctions on ance their ties with Israel and Arab missiles from the war room at the Al
people from the risks of war while Iran targeting leaders and entities neighbours. It also poses a challenge Udeid Air Base near Doha.
calling for adherence to internation- connected to the IRGC, the Defense to the 2023 Saudi-Iran deal keeping
al law and the need for the United Ministry of Iran and the Iranian gov- in mind the coordinated efforts of the This article first appeared
Nations Security Council to fulfil its ernment’s missile and drone program. United States, Israel, Jordan, Saudi on the website (www.icwa.in) of Indian
responsibility towards maintaining In case of the war reaching the Per- Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Qatar in Council of World Affairs, New Delhi,
international peace and security. sian Gulf, energy security, economic intercepting the Iranian drones and on April 24, 2024
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Af-
fairs expressed deep concern about stability and maritime navigation are
bound to be affected.
the regional developments and Security is paramount for the
called on all parties to halt escala- GCC countries; the GCC Ministerial
tion and exercise maximum restraint Council adopted the regional securi-
while urging the international com- ty vision in December 2023, mention-
munity to take immediate action to ing that the security of GCC states is
defuse tension and de-escalate the indivisible. The vision passed at the
situation in the region. It is interest- 158th session of the GCC reiterates
ing to note that while Saudi Arabia that any threat or attack against
and the UAE shared intelligence in- one member state is an attack on all
formation with the United States and member states. One of the primary
Israel ahead of the Iranian attack at objectives of the vision is to build
the behest of US officials, Qatar and the future by settling disagreements
Kuwait decided to not be linked in through consensus-based solutions,
the retaliation against Iran, refused and in this context, Qatar is playing
to allow military action from their an important role in reaching the
soil, and barred US forces from using ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
their air bases.

SECURITY CONCERNS CONCLUSION
astly, along with the security
ran conveyed a message warning concerns, Iran’s missile attack
the United States that, in further
Iaggressive Zionist moves through Lon Israel has geopolitical im-
plications. It suggests that Saudi Ara-
its bases or military assets across the bia’s chances of signing the Abraham
region, Iran will not hold back from Accords will become dim, and it will
targeting the US bases in the Persian become difficult for the signatories,
Gulf. Moreover, the Biden govern-
i.e., the UAE and Bahrain, to bal-

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