The skies over the Arabian Gulf are thick with the smoke of war. Israel’s precision hit on Iran’s South Pars gas field ignited a fierce counterattack from Tehran, slamming gas plants in Qatar and the UAE. In response, a powerful coalition of 12 nations’ foreign ministers gathered in Riyadh on Thursday, unleashing a blistering joint rebuke against Iran.
From Azerbaijan to the UAE, the group—encompassing Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey—demanded an immediate end to hostilities. Their statement spotlighted Iran’s assaults on critical civilian targets: homes, desalination facilities, airports, energy hubs, and embassies in Jordan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Gulf states.
Israel’s Lebanon strikes drew equal criticism, with the ministers pledging unwavering support for regional integrity. Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex erupted in flames, while Saudi defenses downed incoming missiles, highlighting the energy sector’s vulnerability.
Doha wasted no time, branding the Iranian attackers persona non grata and ordering their swift departure, citing UN Resolution 2817. ‘This is an assault on our independence and a grave risk to peace,’ Qatar’s foreign ministry stated, decrying Iran’s disregard for de-escalation pledges.
The bloc cautioned Iran: normalize ties by honoring borders, shunning meddling, and curbing military threats. Iranian media had previously pointed fingers at America and Israel for sabotaging its energy assets. With stakes sky-high, diplomatic pressure mounts to avert a wider inferno.