AMMAN — Foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon issued a joint statement following a meeting in Riyadh, calling on Iran to immediately cease its attacks.

 

They warned that the future of regional relations hinges on respect for sovereignty and non-interference, according to a statement cited by the Riyadh-based Arab News.

 

The ministers condemned what they described as deliberate missile and drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, airports, residential areas, and diplomatic premises, saying such actions “cannot be justified under any pretext.”

 

The statement affirmed the right of affected states to defend themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while urging Iran to adhere to international law and de-escalate tensions.

 

The ministers echoed these concerns, warning that threats to international shipping could disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, two of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.