Arab foreign ministers have condemned Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt international navigation, demanding, in a virtual meeting they held on Tuesday, that Tehran be compelled to compensate and make amends for the economic losses resulting from these threats.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, affirmed that “Arab countries have not been, and will not be, hostages in the hands of Iran to settle scores.”
At the request of Bahrain, the Council of the League of Arab States, at the foreign ministers' level, held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to “discuss Iranian attacks against Arab countries, Iran's obligations under international law, and efforts made to end the crisis in the region.”
In a resolution, the ministers condemned Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, calling on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility in maintaining regional and international peace and security and to ensure accountability for attacks deliberately targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure.
They reaffirmed that these deliberate attacks constitute a grave violation of the sovereignty of those states, undermine regional peace and security, and represent a flagrant breach of international law, including international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.
Moreover, the ministers noted that Iran has failed to comply with Resolution 2817 to immediately cease its attacks against Arab states, adding that its continued deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects constitutes a violation of international law.
Tuesday’s resolution also stressed that Iran bears full international responsibility for its unlawful and unjustified attacks against Arab states, and is obligated under international law to make full reparation for all resulting damage and losses, including restitution and compensation.
It called on relevant Arab and regional bodies, in coordination with affected countries, to consider establishing mechanisms to document violations, assess damages and losses, and pursue avenues for redress through diplomatic, legal, and other peaceful means.
The resolution stressed that any attempt by Iran to obstruct lawful maritime passage constitutes a threat to the security of sea lanes and global energy supplies, affirming the right of Arab states to defend their vessels and means of transport in accordance with international law.
The council said that any attempt by Iran to obstruct lawful transit and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz would constitute an internationally unlawful act, adding that Iran would bear international responsibility and be obliged to provide full reparation for all resulting damage, injuries, and economic losses.
It reiterated that such actions threaten the stability of the Arabian Gulf region and its vital role in the global economy and energy supplies, as well as international peace and security.
The council also stressed its rejection and condemnation of Iran’s continued financing, arming, and mobilization of affiliated militias in several Arab countries in pursuit of its interests, describing this as a serious threat to the security and stability of those states and the region.
The Arab foreign ministers urged the Security Council to uphold its responsibility to safeguard regional and international peace and security, ensure accountability for deliberate attacks targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure, and work toward the full implementation of Resolution 2817, including requiring Iran to immediately halt all its attacks against Arab states and comply with its international obligations.
The council also affirmed the inherent right of affected Arab states to self-defense, individually or collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary measures to protect their sovereignty, security, and stability, stressing that the provisions of this resolution do not prejudice any rights or remedies available to states under international law.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League stated at Tuesday’s meeting that Iran has not complied with Security Council Resolution 2817 issued on March 11, calling for an immediate halt to aggression, nor has it acknowledged that its aggressions against Arab states in the Gulf, Jordan, and Iraq constituted a grave breach of international law, an unacceptable violation of state sovereignty, and a blatant disregard for all principles of good neighborliness.
Aboul Gheit demanded that Iran “immediately comply with the Security Council resolution and bear full responsibility for the damages and losses caused by these unlawful attacks, which necessitates compensation and reparation as stipulated by international law in such cases.”
He stated that “Iran's perceptions of controlling the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are legally null and void, lack any argument or justification, and are rejected outright.”
He emphasized that 'freedom of navigation in international straits and waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, is guaranteed by international law... and Iran cannot give itself the right to control the Strait of Hormuz, because it simply does not own it.”
He added that the Arab League “considers aggression against any Arab state, or the practice of threatening and terrorizing its civilian population, as aggression against all Arab states,” affirming that “everyone stands united in solidarity with the countries that have been subjected to sinful attacks.”
This marks the third time, since the outbreak of Iran's war on February 28, that the Arab League Council has convened at the ministerial level to discuss developments in the region.
The foreign ministers had previously condemned Tehran's attacks on Arab countries in an emergency virtual meeting on March 8, affirming their support for all measures taken by those countries, including the option of responding to the attacks.
Again, they reiterated their condemnation of the attacks at the 165th regular session meeting end of last month.
