EU and Gulf ministers warned after crisis talks on Thursday that global security was at stake and called on Iran to immediately halt “indiscriminate” attacks across the region in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks.
The foreign ministers met via video link as Iran steps up attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
A joint statement issued afterward said, “The ministers strongly condemned Iran’s unwarranted attacks on GCC countries, which threaten regional and global security, and called on Iran to immediately stop its attacks,” AFP news agency reported.
Referring to the aftermath of Iran’s “indiscriminate” attack, he also confirmed that GCC countries “have the right to take all necessary measures” to protect themselves.
EU and Gulf ministers jointly reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy” as a means of resolving the crisis.
The two leaders pledged “joint diplomatic efforts” toward durable solutions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and “stop the production and proliferation” of ballistic missiles and drones.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Karas, who chaired the talks, said earlier that the EU was trying to help Gulf states avoid Iranian drone attacks, but warned that supplies of relevant kit could be limited.
Karas warned ahead of the meeting that it would be difficult for production of drone interceptors to keep up with high demand, both in Ukraine and now in the Middle East.
“Everyone has air defense needs… so there is a real problem with production,” she told reporters in Brussels, adding that Europe needed to “accelerate” production.
“I’m worried that my abilities are limited,” she says.
