Riyadh ministerial meeting condemns missile and drone attacks, calls for diplomacy and protection of regional sovereignty
Meeting of foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries in the region to deliberate on the growing tensions in the Middle East PHOTO: X/MINISTRY OF FOREIGN OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Pakistan, along with 11 other Islamic countries, issued a joint statement on Thursday urging Iran to immediately stop its attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their regional allies, following a consultative ministerial meeting held in Riyadh a day earlier to deliberate on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.
The meeting comes as the US and Israel’s war against Iran intensifies, deepening instability across the Middle East. Iranian state television reported Wednesday that Iran attacked Tel Aviv with missiles carrying cluster warheads, describing the attack as retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani.
According to the statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates “affirmed their condemnation and denunciation of these deliberate Iranian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas, civil infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings and diplomatic premises.”
The statement stressed that “such attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way” and emphasized “the right of States to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The ministers called on Iran to “immediately stop its attacks” and stressed “the need to respect international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of good neighborliness, as a first step to end the escalation, achieve security and stability in the region and promote diplomacy as a means to resolve the crisis.”
The statement further noted that the future of relations with Iran depends on respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their internal affairs, as well as refraining from violating their sovereignty or territories in any way, and not using or developing their military capabilities to threaten countries in the region.
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The ministers also called on Iran to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which “called for the immediate cessation of all attacks, the unconditional cessation of any provocative acts or threats against neighboring states and the cessation of supporting, financing and arming its affiliated militias in Arab countries, which Iran is doing to serve its objectives and against the interests of these countries.”
Furthermore, they urged Iran to refrain from any measures or threats aimed at closing or obstructing international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in Bab al-Mandab.
Iran has responded to the US and Israeli attacks with waves of drone and missile attacks not only against Israel but also against Gulf states hosting US military facilities, including Saudi Arabia, widening the regional impact of the conflict.
The escalation has affected key infrastructure in Gulf countries, including airports, ports, hotels, and military and oil facilities. Disruptions to oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, have intensified economic concerns.
Lebanon
Furthermore, the ministers reaffirmed their support for “the security, stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon, activating the sovereignty of the Lebanese State over all its territories and supporting the decision of the Lebanese government to limit weapons to the State.” They also condemned Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and “its expansionist policy” in the region.
The statement concluded with ministers reaffirming their commitment to continued consultation and coordination, committing to closely monitor developments and assess emerging challenges. They emphasized that this approach “will ensure the formulation of common positions and the adoption of legitimate measures and procedures necessary to protect their security, stability and sovereignty, and stop the atrocious Iranian attacks against their territories.”
Diplomatic efforts
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Riyadh yesterday. The Ministry of External Affairs said Foreign Minister Dar would use the meeting to reiterate Pakistan’s diplomatic position amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Earlier, on March 12, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Riyadh for detailed talks on the regional situation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Amid rising tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Pakistan has reiterated its strong strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia while urging restraint to avoid a wider regional conflict.
