Arab and Islamic Foreign Ministers Condemn Iranian Attacks, Call for Immediate De-escalation
Riyadh – Sudanhorizon – Agencies
Foreign ministers from a group of Arab and Islamic countries held a consultative meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to discuss recent developments related to what they described as Iranian attacks targeting several countries in the region.
The meeting brought together representatives from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers strongly condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian attacks carried out using ballistic missiles and drones. According to the statement, these attacks targeted civilian areas and key infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential areas, and diplomatic premises across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
The ministers stressed that such actions are unjustifiable under any circumstances and reaffirmed the right of affected states to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
They called on Iran to immediately cease its attacks and to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law and the principles of good neighbourliness. The statement emphasised the importance of de-escalation and urged a return to diplomatic solutions to resolve regional tensions.
The participants also underlined that future relations with Iran would depend on its respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and its commitment to refraining from actions that threaten regional security.
In addition, the ministers urged Iran to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), halt all attacks, avoid provocative actions, and cease support for armed groups in Arab countries, which they said undermines regional stability.
The statement further warned against any attempts to disrupt international shipping routes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, highlighting the potential risks to global energy security and maritime safety.
The ministers also reiterated their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity, backing the Lebanese government’s efforts to ensure that arms remain under state control. At the same time, they condemned Israeli actions in Lebanon and what they described as expansionist policies in the region.
Concluding the meeting, the participants affirmed their commitment to continued coordination and consultation to monitor developments and adopt necessary measures to protect their security, stability, and sovereignty, while working to halt the ongoing escalation.
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