The Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, has denounced Iran’s military, political, and religious meddling in the Gulf and several Arab states, in his recent remarks at a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, Aboul Gheit expressed the Arab countries' hope to build constructive and healthy ties with the neighboring countries.
The Gulf’s security could be in its idle state when the concept of good neighborhood dominates and the option of the use of power is ruled out, he noted. Only then, it is possible to establish a collective security system that guarantees all parties' interests and ensures the freedom of navigation.
The secretary-general flagged up the fact that the Gulf remains the most jeopardized by armed conflicts. He listed as an example, last year's sabotage military activities to which the UN held one party accountable. Iran was the party pointed at, Aboul Gheit added, not only for standing behind the sabotage activities but also for threatening international navigation and recruiting militias in countries.
He stated that sovereignty is a cornerstone for regional security, and any endeavors towards building confidence between the opposing sides of the Gulf should launch from holding talks on sovereignty. As he emphasized that collective security guarantees all parties’ interests, he regretted that, however, it remained out of reach.
For his part, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf said the Gulf region is essential to international peace and stability but is experiencing turmoil due to Iran’s approach of violence and destabilization, including the use of drones and missiles.
He further accused Iran of inciting violence and instability in some countries in the region, such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. "It is unfortunate that Iran, especially since 2011, has used the methods of hostility, violence, and destabilization in the region to achieve its political goals," Hajraf added.
Some GCC member states have been repeatedly attacked by Iran and its representatives in the region, such as ballistic missile and drone strikes in Saudi Arabia targeting civilian areas. For that, Hajraf underscored the importance of having a comprehensive international agreement to ensure that Iran does not acquire any nuclear weapons.
