NEW YORK: Gulf Arab states, joined by Jordan and Syria, told the UN Security Council on Saturday that an attack on any one of them constitutes a threat to the security and stability of the entire region, as they condemned Iranian missile strikes on their territories.

Delivering a statement by the Gulf Cooperation Council — which comprises the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain — as well as Jordan and Syria, Bahrain’s UN Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaei said: “These attacks are a blatant violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they threaten the security and stability of the entire region.”

He added that the strikes had caused injuries to civilians, killed at least one person, damaged infrastructure, disrupted air travel and threatened maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

He held Iran fully responsible, saying: “There is no excuse for these cowardly acts, and they cannot be justified under international law or the UN Charter.”

Alrowaei emphasized that the targeted countries reserve their right to self-defense under the UN Charter, and to respond proportionally to protect their territories, populations and national interests.

He also warned against using regional territories as a stage to escalate the conflict, noting prior efforts by Gulf states, Jordan and others to facilitate dialogue with Iran.

Alrowaie urged the UNSC to take a firm stance condemning the attacks and preventing their recurrence, calling for urgent action to contain the crisis and safeguard regional and international peace and security.