WorldPosted at: Nov 14 2026 5:14PM


Iran has fired over 7,000 missiles, drones at GCC states since Feb 28: GCC chief

New York, Nov 14 (UNI) Iran has fired more than 7,000 missiles and drones at the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states since February 28, the bloc's Secretary-General Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi told the UN Security Council, warning that disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz were threatening global food security.
Addressing the Security Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Albudaiwi said Iranian attacks had targeted airports, seaports, oil and gas facilities, power stations, desalination plants and residential areas across all six GCC countries.
The attacks had caused deaths and injuries, extensive damage to infrastructure and serious harm to the marine environment in the Arabian Gulf, he said.
"We are addressing your council today with a unified Gulf voice," Albudaiwi said, describing the attacks as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of GCC member states.
He called on the Security Council to take action to ensure an immediate end to the attacks and prevent their recurrence.
The meeting was requested by Bahrain to discuss escalating regional tensions and threats to maritime security. Latvia, which holds the council's rotating presidency this month, convened the session.
Albudaiwi said disruptions to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have consequences extending beyond the economic sphere, creating a serious humanitarian threat.
Disruptions to global supply chains had affected supplies of essential goods, including food, fertilisers and ammonia, on which global food production depends, he said.
Citing warnings by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Albudaiwi said developing and vulnerable countries faced the risk of famine and acute food insecurity because of fertiliser shortages.
"Disruption of navigation in a single corridor affects factories, businesses and consumers across continents," he said.
The GCC held Iran fully responsible for the attacks, Albudaiwi said, rejecting Tehran's justification for targeting countries that were not parties to the conflict and had made diplomatic efforts to prevent regional escalation.
He welcomed the Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2817 in March, which condemned Iranian attacks on GCC states and Jordan and demanded their cessation.
He said the council has a responsibility to ensure the resolution is implemented and that similar attacks did not recur.
Albudaiwi also referred to Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1, which called for accountability and reparations for victims of the attacks.
"The security of the GCC states is indivisible, and any attack against one member state is an attack against all," he said, adding that member states retained their right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Turning to Yemen, Albudaiwi condemned attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, airports and energy facilities.
He expressed full solidarity with Riyadh and supported measures taken by the kingdom to protect its sovereignty and security.
He welcomed a Security Council presidential statement issued on October 15 affirming Saudi Arabia's right to self-defence, as well as a resolution adopted unanimously on November 12 condemning the Houthis' military escalation and demanding an immediate end to their attacks.
The resolution also condemned weapons shipments to the group in violation of an arms embargo, he said.
Albudaiwi further criticised the Houthis' treatment of UN personnel and humanitarian workers, citing abductions and enforced disappearances. He said a UN staff member had recently died while in detention, while others had been referred for trial on what he described as fabricated charges carrying the death penalty.
He urged the Security Council to take a firm position against what he called unprecedented crimes against UN personnel.
On maritime security, Albudaiwi rejected any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, obstruct international navigation or impose what he described as unlawful restrictions and transit fees.
He said the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea guaranteed freedom of navigation through international waters and applicable international straits.
He also condemned Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, calling for full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2722, which demanded an immediate halt to attacks on commercial shipping.
Albudaiwi called on the Security Council to ensure an immediate and unconditional end to Iranian attacks, directly or through allied groups, as well as Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels.
He also demanded accountability for those responsible and full compensation from Iran for the damage caused by its attacks.
Any regional or international agreement with Tehran must address the security concerns of GCC states, including Iran's nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, drones and support for armed groups, he said.
The GCC should also be involved in any negotiations or arrangements affecting its security and interests, Albudaiwi added.
He said relations with Iran should be based on respect for sovereignty, good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs.
On wider regional issues, Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC's support for an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also reaffirmed the bloc's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, and the sovereignty, unity and stability of Syria.UNI AAB
Tags: #Iran has fired over 7#000 missiles# drones at GCC states since Feb 28: GCC chief
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