Gulf Cooperation Council leaders are meeting in Saudi Arabia to coordinate their response to Iranian missile and drone strikes. The meeting is significant as it marks the first in-person gathering of Gulf leaders since the escalation of the Iran conflict two months ago.
According to officials, the summit in Jeddah aims to develop a unified strategy after thousands of attacks targeted Gulf states. The strikes have damaged key energy infrastructure, military installations, and civilian facilities across the region.
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Moreover, tensions have eased slightly following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran earlier this month. However, Gulf capitals remain concerned about the possibility of renewed conflict as broader peace talks have yet to produce a final agreement.
Additionally, high-level representatives from several GCC states, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, attended the meeting. Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit as the bloc’s headquarters country and leading regional power. Oman’s representation remained unclear at the time of reporting.
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Finally, internal divisions within the GCC have surfaced over the response to the crisis. Some members, including the UAE, have criticized the bloc’s political and military response as weak, highlighting differing views on regional security coordination during the ongoing war.