Bahraini FM Says GCC Highly Values Russia's De-Escalation Calls in Middle East

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said on Sunday that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) highly value Russia's calls for de-escalation in the Middle East. He spoke at the ninth ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the GCC.

Sputnik reported that Al Zayani was addressing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he said: "The countries of the Cooperation Council highly value Russia's calls for de-escalation." According to Sputnik, he also expressed hope that Russia will use its relations with Iran to ensure compliance with UN resolutions.

Sputnik reported that the minister described the security of the Gulf states as one of the foundations of international security. He added that regional stability cannot be ensured through escalation, threats or interference in the internal affairs of other states, Sputnik said.

The minister also said the GCC countries condemn the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to Sputnik. Sputnik noted that the GCC includes six Arab states: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.

How we got here

• September 2025: the previous meeting in this format at the level of foreign ministers took place in Sochi, Sputnik reported.
• 18 October 2026: the ninth ministerial meeting of the Russia-GCC strategic dialogue was held, and Al Zayani addressed Lavrov on de-escalation, Iran and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to Sputnik.