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After AlUla Summit, What’s Next for Gulf States?

A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
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After AlUla Summit, What’s Next for Gulf States?

A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP

Gulf Arab leaders signed a declaration on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to mark a new page in relations after ending a feud with Qatar that lasted over 40 months, leaving many to speculate about what’s next.

At the 41st annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in AlUla, the four countries that jointly boycotted Qatar — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain — restored diplomatic ties with Doha.

Reconciliation ensures that higher interests of the peoples of the six Gulf states that make up the GCC are maintained.

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC Abdulaziz Hamad Aluwaisheg said that now is the time for Gulf states to discuss issues that triggered differences and establish a mechanism for resolving them.

Aluwaisheg added that the first step towards a solution has been taken.

Confirming reconciliation with Qatar, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said that the 41st GCC summit has opened a new phase of "solidarity" and "stability" between regional states.

Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen air, land and sea borders with Qatar ahead of holding the GCC summit in AlUla was perceived as a milestone towards resolving the Gulf dispute. Observers said that the summit succeeded before even starting.

Gulf countries signed “AlUla Declaration” at the conclusion of the GCC summit, outlining the features of restoring multi-faceted cooperation after the union having suffered fluxes in its influential role in enhancing the security and stability of the region for over three years.

Mounting Iranian threats demand that regional states unite in a firm stance.

Aluwaisheg, in a phone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, confirmed that the GCC can now achieve progress on various tracks more swiftly, saying reconciliation will have a positive effect on political cohesion and economic achievement.

For the political track, reconciliation has managed to unite the stances of GCC states on Iran, especially on facing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and meddling in the internal affairs of neighbors.

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Gulf

GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior regarding regional security and stability, its repeated brutal targeting of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as its dangerous attacks on commercial vessels.

Albudaiwi stated that Iran's behavior constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, as well as a direct undermining of maritime security and freedom of navigation, SPA reported.

He noted that these repeated, brutal Iranian attacks not only hinder all endeavors aimed at achieving security and stability in the region, but also reveal a systematic insistence on perpetuating chaos, in blatant defiance of international law and the international community's shared will to establish peace.

He underlined that the GCC supports all measures taken by the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan to bolster their security, safeguard their sovereignty, and protect their peoples and residents across their territories.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar on Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar on Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the passing of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said in his cable that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dedicated much of his life to serving his country and people.

He extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the late emir's family, and the people of Qatar, praying that the deceased be granted Allah's mercy and forgiveness and that his family be granted patience and solace.

For his part, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, also sent a cable of condolences to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on this sad incident.

In his cable, the Crown Prince said that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had played a significant role in Qatar's development and prosperity.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the late emir's family, praying that Allah Almighty grant the deceased mercy and forgiveness and reward him for his service to his country and people.

Gulf

Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
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Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP

Gulf states condemned on Sunday repeated Iranian attacks targeting Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, saying such assaults represent a blatant violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior toward regional security and stability, its violations of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the principles of good neighborliness.

This includes Iran's repeated attacks on commercial vessels, threatening the security and freedom of navigation, and its continued heinous assaults on Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Jordan.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its categorical rejection of Iran's violation of the sovereignty of brotherly states and its continued threats to regional security and stability.

The Omani government also lambasted on Sunday an attack on its territory, state media announced, with Iran's Guards saying they targeted it during a barrage aimed at countries across the Gulf.

The Oman News Agency said on X that "the Sultanate of Oman affirms its condemnation and denunciation of this attack,” which came just hours after the country hosted Iran's foreign minister to address security issues in the Strait of Hormuz.

Doha too condemned the Iranian attacks against its territory and its neighbors.

"Qatar condemns in the strongest possible terms the renewed attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the foreign ministry said in a statement, also referring to the targeting of Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait and calling the barrages a "dangerous escalation.”

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the egregious Iranian attacks that targeted it. It affirmed that these repeated assaults reflect a persistent hostile approach, constituting a grave violation of Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Furthermore, they represent a clear breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817.

The ministry stressed in a statement that the continuation of attacks constitutes an extremely dangerous escalation, which will increase tension and instability in the region, threaten regional peace and security, and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful resolution of crises.

The ministry reiterated that Kuwait's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are inviolable, and that Kuwait reserves its full rights to take necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the UN Charter.