Arab League urges Iran to halt attacks on Gulf neighbors, affirm their right to self-defense

CAIRO – 8 March 2026: The Arab League Council called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks on neighboring countries and reaffirmed the Arab states’ right to self-defense during an emergency ministerial meeting of the Arab League on Sunday.

In a resolution issued after the meeting held via videoconference, the council strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting several Arab countries, stressing the bloc’s full solidarity with the affected states and its support for the measures they are taking to protect their sovereignty and security.

The resolution, No. 9241, emphasized that an attack on any member state constitutes an attack on all Arab countries under the Charter of the Arab League and the Arab Collective Defense Treaty.

The council urged Iran to immediately cease all military attacks, provocative actions and threats directed at neighboring countries, including through armed groups and militias affiliated with Tehran across the region.

Self-Defense Right

Arab ministers also stressed the right of countries targeted by Iranian attacks to exercise their legitimate right to self-defense, individually or collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Iran has been launching missiles and drones at locations across Gulf states, targeting the US military presence as well as other civilian facilities in response to coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian cities.

The attacks have killed several civilians across the Gulf amidst intensive interception efforts.

Gulf countries have strongly condemned the strikes, with several stressing that they reserve the right to respond.

In its today’s session, the Arab League Council praised the defensive and security institutions in the targeted Arab states for their readiness and effectiveness in intercepting missiles and drones, which helped reduce human and material losses.

Resorting to Security Council

The council voiced support for efforts by Arab countries to raise the issue before international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly, to condemn the attacks and hold Iran fully responsible for their consequences.

The Arab League further called on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security by adopting a binding resolution condemning the attacks and demanding their immediate halt.

Abiding by Int’l Law

The council urged Iran to fully comply with its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts.

Hormuz Strait Navigation

The council also stressed the importance of respecting freedom of navigation for commercial shipping and maritime transport and ensuring the safety of international sea lanes in accordance with international law.

It condemned Iranian actions that could threaten international navigation or lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any disruption to maritime traffic through the vital waterway would pose a direct threat to the stability of the Arabian Gulf, the global economy and energy supplies.

Lebanon’s Sovereignty

Amid the developments in Lebanon against the backdrop of the war in Iran, the council reaffirmed its support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

It stressed the need for the Lebanese state to extend its authority over all its territory and strengthen its constitutional institutions in order to safeguard internal security and stability.

Exclusive State Control of Arms

The council welcomed measures aimed at ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under the authority of the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces and official security agencies.

Establish Palestinian State

The council urged the international community to press Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories since 1967 and implement the two-state solution.

This would enable the establishment of an independent State of Palestine along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, read the council’s resolution.