Arab, Islamic ministers press Iran to halt attacks, warn ties could suffer

Foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries on Wednesday urged Iran to immediately halt its attacks on regional states, warning that future ties with Tehran hinge on respect for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs.

In a joint statement issued after a consultative meeting in Riyadh, the ministers said continued Iranian actions — both direct and through allied groups — pose a serious threat to regional security and undermine diplomatic efforts.

“The future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs,” the statement said, pointing to Tehran’s backing of proxy groups across the region.

The meeting was attended by foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.

The ministers condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential areas, and diplomatic sites across Gulf Cooperation Council countries and beyond.

They said such actions “cannot be justified under any pretext” and reaffirmed the right of affected countries to defend themselves under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Calling for immediate de-escalation, the group urged Iran to abide by international law, humanitarian norms, and principles of good neighborliness as a first step toward restoring stability and enabling diplomacy.

The statement also called on Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which demands an end to attacks and prohibits support, financing, or arming of affiliated militias in Arab countries.

This includes groups such as the Houthi movement in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which several regional governments accuse Iran of supporting.

The ministers further warned against threats to global shipping routes, urging Iran to avoid actions that could disrupt navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, two key maritime chokepoints.

On Lebanon, the group reiterated support for the country’s sovereignty and stability, backing efforts to ensure all weapons remain under state control. They also condemned Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and its broader regional conduct.

The ministers pledged continued coordination to monitor developments and take what they termed “necessary legitimate measures” to safeguard their security and sovereignty and to counter what they described as Iranian aggression.