The meeting of foreign ministers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was held at the right time. A unified stance is essential, regardless of the individual viewpoints. The current phase necessitates setting aside differences of opinion and working together to maintain the stability of our nations and our people. This is the paramount goal that the GCC leaders must strive to achieve. Therefore, it has become imperative to put all plans into action.
The current conflict is not just a passing skirmish, it is a decisive war and its outcome will determine the course of the future. The Iranian enemy showed its real face when it exploited the American-Israeli attacks on it to unleash its animosity toward the Gulf states and undermine their national security despite the fact that the Gulf states have provided Iran with assistance for decades. The Iranian enemy has consistently disregarded this assistance, targeting civilians and launching attacks on civilian infrastructure. Hence, the continuous Iranian aggression against the Gulf states necessitates the highest level of coordination among the leaders. It is best to hold an extraordinary Gulf summit now to make decisions that could break the intransigence of the enemy.
It is good that the ministerial council meeting hinted at invoking Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. However, much more is needed, because the aggression is still ongoing. The current stage requires not only severing diplomatic relations with Iran, but also activating the joint defense agreement among the GCC states, so the enemy understands that peaceful nations are capable of imposing deterrent punishment, not just a temporary reaction. Over the past few days, the GCC citizens have demonstrated their solidarity with their leaders, forming a solid force to confront the Persian aggression. This is not an unusual behavior for them.
Since the launching of the GCC in 1981, the member states have been working as one. This was clearly shown during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait when they opened their doors and hearts to welcome Kuwaitis. This was also exemplified in the liberation operation, during which Gulf armies shed blood to free Kuwait. Throughout the past two decades and in spite of Houthi attempts to destabilize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the military campaign, ‘Operation Decisive Storm’, with the participation of the Gulf armies, confronted Houthi aggression.
During the acts of sabotage in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Peninsula Shield forces thwarted the terrorist plot to control Bahrain. Undoubtedly, all these events confirm the determination of the Gulf states to adopt a unified stance in times of crisis. The people of the Gulf consider the GCC as the protector of their stability. Gulf security is indivisible. Gulf cohesion is solid and unbreakable. Perhaps, today is an opportune moment to activate economic, media and social integration among the GCC countries, considering the current circumstances.
This step is crucial in preventing the vulnerability that the enemy could exploit to weaken their firm position. At this point, it must be emphasized that there are different viewpoints among the leaders and governments of the GCC countries, but this is perfectly normal. The leaders of the GCC countries have proven their ability to unite on a single position, especially in difficult times. Consequently, this opportunity must be seized to unify objectives. Events prove every day that Gulf unity is not a political choice, but an existential necessity.
