Bahrain Condemns Iran at GCC-EU Security Forum in Brussels

Bahrain's foreign minister, chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council, has denounced Iranian attacks on civilian shipping and territory and accused Iran of violating a US-brokered memorandum.

• The third GCC-EU High-Level Forum on Regional Security convened in Brussels on Tuesday, chaired by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani for the GCC side and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for the European side.
• Al-Zayani stated that attacks on civilians cannot be justified, citing Iranian strikes on GCC and Jordanian territory, and assaults on the Saudi tanker Wadiyan and the Qatari tanker Al-Rukayyat in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Al-Zayani said the GCC welcomed the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, but accused Iran of violating the agreement by targeting shipping in the strait and attacking GCC territory.
• Al-Zayani called on all states to reject Iran's claims of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and any permit system or fees imposed by Iran, and reaffirmed the GCC's right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.