Gulf, Arab Countries Express Solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi Attacks

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Gulf, Arab Countries Express Solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi Attacks

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Gulf and Arab countries condemned the drone attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against southern Saudi Arabia. They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Kingdom, backing all the measures authorities are taking to protect Saudi territory.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that the country “considers this targeting a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security, safety, and lives of civilians, and calls for taking all necessary measures to protect civilians from Houthi threats.”

The statement said that the security of the UAE and Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and “any threat or danger facing the Kingdom is considered by the UAE as a threat to its security and stability system.”

Bahrain also denounced the attacks and praised the vigilance and efficiency of the Arab coalition forces, which were able to intercept and destroy the aircraft.

Manama said that the terrorist acts carried out by the militias in a systematic and deliberate manner constitute a blatant attack on the Kingdom’s sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity.

Kuwait said the continuation of these aggressive practices and the escalation in targeting civilians, civilian areas, the security of the Kingdom, and regional stability are a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law and require the international community to act quickly and decisively to deter these threats and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Egypt and Jordan also issued similar statements strongly condemning the attacks, reiterating their full solidarity with the Kingdom and their support for all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.



Three Ships Struck in Hormuz Flare-Up, Qatar Slams Iran

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
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Three Ships Struck in Hormuz Flare-Up, Qatar Slams Iran

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. (Reuters)

Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime monitors and Qatar said on Tuesday, with peace mediator Doha denouncing an "unacceptable" Iranian attack.

An "unknown projectile" hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, British maritime security agency UKMTO said.

The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation after Iran lifted its blockade of the vital waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States.

All three vessels were struck close to Oman. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway.

Qatar, which helped broker the truce, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to "cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation".

"The targeting of the Qatari vessel 'Al-Rekayyat' while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation," Doha's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X.

"We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions," he added.

The attacks came despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran in the Middle East war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February.

The future of Hormuz, the main route for Gulf energy exports, has been a sticking point during talks between Tehran and Washington to permanently end the conflict.

- 'Clear signal' -

"We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to an Iranian toll or fee system are being explored," Andreas Krieg, a security expert at King's College London, told AFP.

"Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted.

"Tankers trying to diverge through the Omani maritime corridor without registering with the Iranian authority will be punished," Krieg added, calling it a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement and international law.

US news outlet Axios reported late Monday that Iran had "fired at least two missiles at commercial ships", citing two unnamed US officials.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Maritime traffic had tentatively resumed after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategic route.

However, Iran has insisted there will be no return to pre-war arrangements, under which vessels could pass freely through the strait.

Under the 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Iran and Oman, which border Hormuz, must hold talks "to define the future administration and maritime services" in the key waterway with other Gulf states.


GCC Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack Targeting Damascus

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 Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack Targeting Damascus

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 strongest condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that targeted the Syrian capital, Damascus, and resulted in the injury of a number of security personnel and civilians while security authorities were attempting to dismantle two explosive devices planted by a terrorist cell, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi underscored that the GCC renews its firm position rejecting all forms of terrorism and extremism, stressing the need for concerted regional and international efforts to eliminate terrorism and dry up its sources, in a manner that leads to enhancing security and stability and safeguarding the security and safety of states.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi expressed the GCC’s solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic in all measures it takes to protect its security and stability, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery and praying that Syria and its people be protected from all harm.


Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with Irish Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with Irish Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Tuesday in Jeddah with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defense of the Republic of Ireland Helen McEntee.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation across various fields, contributing to expanding the horizons of partnership between Saudi Arabia and Ireland and achieving the common interests of both nations.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments alongside the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for reaching comprehensive and peaceful solutions to end the conflict in the region.

They emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to address crises, restore stability to the region, and ensure the safety of waterways and freedom of navigation.

Furthermore, the two officials explored opportunities to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors, and capitalize on the opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, thereby enhancing trade and mutual investments between the two countries.