EU and GCC leaders address regional security and maritime disruptions

Parliamentary leaders from the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met in Brussels to discuss strategic partnerships and regional stability. The joint statement emphasized the need for secure maritime, land, and air connections to protect trade, energy, and investment. The participants noted that recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, attributed to Iranian activities and proxy forces, highlight the interconnected security of both regions.

Separately, during a ministerial meeting in Manama, the GCC issued a statement condemning Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The council called for increased political and military pressure on the Houthis, including stricter arms embargoes and designating the group as a terrorist organization. The GCC also held Iran responsible for missile and drone attacks against GCC member states and Jordan, demanding an immediate cessation of these actions and compensation for damages. Despite these tensions, GCC foreign ministers expressed a desire to return to diplomacy to resolve the crisis between the United States and Iran.