GCC foreign ministers in Manama back Saudi Arabia, urge US-Iran dialogue

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia at a meeting in Manama on Sunday, according to the final statement of the council's 168th Ministerial Council session. A News, citing Anadolu Agency, reported that the ministers spoke amid Houthi attacks and called for dialogue to resolve US-Iran tensions.

The statement said the GCC member states stand united with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and support all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and interests, A News reported. Yeni Safak, in a report credited to Anadolu Agency (AA), added that Saudi forces continue to intercept missile and drone strikes launched by Houthi rebels from Yemeni territory. It described the meeting as being held in Bahrain's capital.

On Washington and Tehran, A News said the council backed mediation efforts "to reach a political solution that prevents the region from descending into further tensions and instability." Yeni Safak quoted the same words. Both outlets said the ministers want any agreement to address Iran's nuclear and missile programs, drones and support for proxies. Yeni Safak said the ministers insisted that Gulf states take part directly in negotiations affecting regional security. A News said the council stressed the need to involve GCC states in talks affecting their security and interests.

On Yemen, A News said the GCC expressed support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It urged a political solution based on dialogue, the GCC Initiative, the National Dialogue Conference outcomes and relevant UN resolutions. Yeni Safak reported the same basis for a settlement.

Both outlets said the ministers described freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea as a shared international interest and responsibility. They rejected any restrictions on maritime traffic. A News said the council called for a return to pre-Feb. 28 conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, while Yeni Safak said the ministers demanded a return to pre-February 28 conditions there.

How we got here

• 28 February: This is the date the GCC ministers used as the baseline for navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for conditions to return to how they were before it, according to A News and Yeni Safak. Neither report says what changed on that date.
• Sunday: GCC foreign ministers met in Manama for the 168th session of the Ministerial Council and issued a final statement backing Saudi Arabia, according to A News and Yeni Safak.
• 18 October 2026: A News published its report, citing Anadolu Agency, on the council's statement of solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its call for dialogue on US-Iran tensions.
• 19 October 2026: Yeni Safak published its own report, credited to AA, adding that Saudi forces continue to intercept Houthi missile and drone strikes.