Iran-Israel conflict: Tehran says it harbours ‘no hostility’ towards Gulf states after regional strikes

Iran reassures Gulf amid escalating regional tensions

Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following US-Israeli attacks since the weekend, insists it harbours no hostility towards Gulf states, according to its foreign minister.

“Iran harbours no hostility towards the Persian Gulf countries and is determined to pursue good neighbourly relations with them,” Abbas Araghchi said during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

According to his ministry, Araghchi stated that Iran’s “defensive response against US military bases... should not be seen as an Iranian attack against these countries”.

His comments came after Gulf states pledged to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, including by “responding to the aggression” if necessary, following a video conference of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Sunday aimed at shaping a coordinated response.

Foreign ministers from the six GCC members — the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait — all of which have been affected by Iranian strikes, “reviewed the extensive damage resulting from the treacherous Iranian attacks” and discussed measures to restore regional stability.

A statement issued after the meeting said Gulf countries “will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and to protect their territories, citizens, and residents, including the option of responding to the aggression”.

It also demanded the “immediate cessation of these attacks”, adding that the stability of the “Gulf region is not merely a regional concern but a fundamental pillar of global economic stability”.

Iran began firing missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf — where the United States maintains several military bases — after the US and Israel launched a major offensive against the Islamic republic that resulted in the killing of its supreme leader.