Geneva: The United Kingdom has issued a statement calling for an urgent debate to address the recent military aggression instigated by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Eleanor Sanders, the UK's Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, delivered the statement highlighting the serious nature of the attacks involving Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the UK condemned the missile and drone strikes carried out by Iran, urging the Iranian regime to cease its violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring countries. The statement emphasized the importance of halting these actions to pave a viable path towards regional security and stability.
The UK's statement further expressed strong disapproval of Iranian strikes on unarmed commercial vessels and civilian oil and gas facilities. It also criticized the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law as outlined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Underscoring its commitment to its Gulf partners, the UK promised to continue supporting those affected by the conflict and reiterated its resolve to defend them. The statement noted that Iran's actions endanger civilians, destabilize the region, and threaten the global economy, which in turn hampers the ability of the region's inhabitants to exercise their human rights.
The UK reaffirmed that reducing tensions is the only viable path forward and reiterated its demand for Iran to immediately cease its attacks, emphasizing that a peaceful resolution is critical for the stability of the region.