Saudi Arabia has issued its strongest condemnation of the repeated Iranian attacks against Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, which have been hit by retaliatory strikes for a second consecutive day. The attacks on these sister states exacerbate tensions in the region, according to a statement from the Kingdom's foreign affairs ministry.
Saudi Arabia calls for de-escalation
The Saudi foreign ministry urged all parties to prioritize wisdom by returning to diplomatic efforts and resuming constructive negotiations sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, along with the efforts of the State of Qatar. The statement emphasized the need for restraint and de-escalation to prevent further instability.
Regional condemnation
The United Arab Emirates also condemned the aggressive Iranian attacks, describing them as a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the three sisterly countries and a threat to their security and stability. Qatar and Egypt likewise condemned the attacks, with Qatar's foreign ministry stating that the resurgence of Iranian attacks constitutes a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law. Doha stressed the necessity of sparing the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks and working towards de-escalation to restore security and stability regionally and internationally.
Kuwait strongly denounced the continued heinous and repeated Iranian aggressions against the country. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the repeated treacherous Iranian attacks and reaffirmed the group's support for all measures taken by Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan to enhance their security and preserve their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Impact of the attacks
The US launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would pay the price for stalled negotiations. In response, Iran struck Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Kuwait closed its airspace for several hours due to the attack, but air traffic has since returned to normal, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Jordanian air defense systems intercepted and shot down 20 missiles launched from Iran towards the Blue Zone, state media reported. In Bahrain, the interior ministry confirmed that an 11-year-old girl was injured and several houses and homes were damaged in Hamad City and the capital Manama due to shrapnel from intercepted Iranian drones.
Ongoing conflict
The third back-and-forth exchange of strikes this week has tested a two-month shaky ceasefire. The initial attacks occurred between Iran and Israel, followed by two rounds of fire between the US and Tehran. Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war, suggesting that an agreement could be reached in days. However, Iran has proven resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing, betting on its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passageway for oil and natural gas—as a strong bargaining chip. Both countries appear to be seeking a way to end the conflict, provided they can sell it as a victory at home.
