Iran Under Pressure as Arab and Islamic Ministers Call for Immediate Ceasefire
RIYADH – Foreign ministers from a dozen Arab and Islamic countries issued a forceful joint statement Wednesday demanding that Iran immediately cease its attacks on regional states, warning that future diplomatic relations depend on Tehran’s respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
The ministers gathered in Riyadh and collectively condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian strikes using ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic premises across the Gulf and beyond.
“The future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs,” the statement said, directly referencing Iran’s support for proxy groups operating across the region.
The ministerial meeting brought together representatives from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates — a broad coalition reflecting widespread regional concern about Iranian actions.
The ministers stressed that continued Iranian military operations, whether direct strikes or through allied groups, threaten regional security and sabotage prospects for diplomatic resolution. They affirmed the right of affected states to defend themselves under international law while calling for immediate de-escalation.
The statement demanded Iran comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which mandates an immediate halt to attacks and prohibits supporting, financing, or arming affiliated militias in Arab countries. This includes groups such as the Houthi movement in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which regional governments accuse Iran of backing.
The ministers also warned against threats to international shipping, urging Iran to cease actions that could disrupt navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, two of the world’s most critical maritime passages.
On Lebanon, the ministers reaffirmed support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning Israeli military operations. They pledged to maintain close coordination and take “necessary legitimate measures” to safeguard their security and bring an end to what they characterized as Iranian aggression.
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