The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union held an extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2026 to discuss the escalation in the Middle East and Iran’s inexcusable attacks against the GCC countries.

The GCC side was headed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council. His Excellency Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC and the Foreign Ministers of the GCC Member Countries. The European side was headed by Her Excellency Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, with the participation of Her Excellency Dubravka Šuica and the Foreign Ministers of EU member states.

The Ministers underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the GCC, established under the 1988 Cooperation Agreement and re-confirmed with the EU-GCC Brussels Summit in October 2024. The Ministers strongly condemned the unjustifiable Iranian attacks against the GCC countries which threaten regional and global security and called on Iran to cease immediately its attacks. The European Union reaffirmed its solidarity with the countries of the GCC.

The Ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for protection of civilians and full respect of international law, international humanitarian law and the obligation to abide by the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Ministers recalled that they consistently urged Iran to curb its nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme, refrain from destabilising activities in the region and in Europe, and to cease the appalling violence against its own people.

The Ministers discussed the significant damage caused by the recent indiscriminate Iranian attacks against the GCC member states, which targeted civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, service facilities and residential areas, resulting in material damage and threatening the security, safety and lives of civilians.

The Ministers highlighted the extensive diplomatic efforts by the EU and its Member States and the GCC member states prior to the attacks, as well the latter’s commitment that their territories would not be used to launch attacks against Iran. The Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis, commending the constructive role of Oman in this regard, and highlighted the need to restore regional stability and security.

The Ministers recalled the inherent right of the GCC countries, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, to defend themselves, individually and collectively, against the armed attacks of Iran. They affirmed that the GCC states have the right to take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and protect their territories, citizens and residents in order to restore international peace and security. The Ministers recalled the responsibility of the UN Security Council in restoring and maintaining international peace and security.