85 Percent of Iran's Attacks Said to Target Gulf Countries

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stated that Iran has directed the majority of its recent attacks towards Gulf countries while retaliating against strikes from the United States (US) and Israel. The GCC warned that Tehran’s actions pose a serious threat to regional security and global economic stability. “Iran has directed more than 85 percent of its attacks towards Gulf countries,” said GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi in his statement, as reported by Al Arabiya on Friday (27/3/2026). “Iran is targeting hotels, embassies, water facilities, and airports, attacking civilian locations and causing civilian deaths,” he said in a statement on Thursday (26/3). Al-Budaiwi emphasised that Gulf countries will not accept ongoing deceptions or attempts to justify aggression, and reject any efforts to turn Gulf countries into “an arena for settling regional disputes.” According to al-Budaiwi, Gulf countries have offered assurances to Iran, yet they continue to face a barrage of missile attacks. Furthermore, he holds Iran responsible for the escalation of the conflict and stresses that Gulf countries have the right to defend themselves under international law. In his statement, al-Budaiwi also accused Tehran of launching systematic attacks on oil facilities in the Gulf region. Iran’s attacks, al-Budaiwi said, target locations near the Strait of Hormuz and have struck refineries in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. He called for an immediate cessation of these attacks and emphasised the need to involve Gulf countries in any talks regarding a potential ceasefire between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, regarding Iran’s imposition of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, al-Budaiwi expressed his condemnation. He described the measure as a violation of international law. Al-Budaiwi stressed that global regulations prohibit any interference with navigation in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, and no country has the right to impose such restrictions. As GCC Secretary-General, al-Budaiwi affirmed that Gulf countries are not part of the ongoing conflict and have made extensive efforts to prevent escalation.