Riyadh, March 19: Foreign ministers from key Arab and Islamic countries met in Riyadh to consult on recent Iranian attacks, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said. Attendees included ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Türkiye and the UAE.
The ministers urged Iran to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which calls for an immediate halt to all attacks, an unconditional cessation of provocative acts or threats against neighbouring states, and an end to support, financing and arming of affiliated militias in Arab countries. They also demanded Iran refrain from measures that could close or obstruct international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or threaten maritime security in Bab al-Mandab.
Delegates discussed Iranian strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, condemning deliberate attacks using ballistic missiles and drones that targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings and diplomatic premises. The ministers said such attacks are unjustifiable under any pretext and stressed the right of states to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
They called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and to respect international law, international humanitarian law and principles of good neighbourliness as a first step toward de‑escalation, regional security and stability. The ministers emphasized that future relations with Iran depend on respecting state sovereignty, non‑interference in internal affairs, and refraining from using or developing military capabilities to threaten regional countries.
The meeting also expressed support for Lebanon’s security, stability and territorial integrity and condemned Israel’s aggression against the country. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultation and coordination to monitor developments, formulate common positions and adopt necessary legitimate measures to protect their security, stability and sovereignty and to stop what they called Iranian “heinous attacks” on their territories.
The consultations come amid a widening conflict in West Asia now in its third week, with intensified strikes by both US‑Israel and Iranian forces. On Wednesday night, Iran retaliated after an Israeli strike hit the South Pars gas field by launching missiles at targets in Qatar.
Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefaction facility, suffered extensive damage after ballistic missiles struck, the Qatari Ministry of Defence said. A large fire in the Ras Laffan industrial area was contained with no casualties reported, the Ministry of Interior added. Qatar has declared the Iranian military and security attaches persona non grata and ordered them and their staff to leave the country within 24 hours, its Foreign Ministry announced.
(This article is based on a syndicated feed and published as received.)
