World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Gulf states ask Russia to press Iran to follow UN resolution
Gulf foreign ministers met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manama, Bahrain, for a strategic dialogue.
Gulf states asked Russia to press Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and to respect freedom of navigation.
The request comes amid disagreements over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and wider regional tensions.
The Gulf states also want a place in talks or arrangements about Iran’s nuclear program.
Russia has close ties with Iran and a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, giving it a role in diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov said Russia supports efforts to prevent a wider war and to strengthen its strategic dialogue with the Gulf states.
The meeting’s stated aim was to continue consultation and cooperation, but no next step on the request was announced.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Russia called for stronger cooperation and stressed the importance of regional security and stability at a joint ministerial meeting in Bahrain.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi urged Russia to help persuade Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, stop attacks and respect freedom of navigation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia supports efforts to prevent the region from sliding into a wider war and that Gulf states should have the decisive say on regional security.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani praised Russia’s calls for de-escalation and said GCC states value coordination with Russia within OPEC+.
Al Zayani also called for faster implementation of a joint action plan covering energy, transport, food security, investment and culture.
- Who
- GCC states and Russia, represented at the meeting by their foreign ministers and the GCC secretary-general.
- What
- They discussed closer cooperation and regional security; GCC officials called on Russia to help persuade Iran to stop attacks and respect freedom of navigation.
- When
- October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Bahrain.
- Why
- To strengthen joint work and address regional security and stability amid recent developments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Albudaiwi said 7,000 ballistic missiles had targeted Gulf facilities since February.
Lavrov said trade between Russia and Gulf states rose by 44% last year.
Gulf and Russian officials held their ninth joint ministerial meeting under the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue in Bahrain.
- Meeting
- Ninth Russia-GCC joint ministerial meeting
- Location
- Bahrain
- Trade growth
- 44% increase in trade with Gulf states last year, according to Lavrov
- Missile attacks
- 7,000 ballistic missiles targeted Gulf facilities since February, according to Albudaiwi
- OPEC+
- GCC states highly valued coordination with Russia to support global energy-market stability
3 sources
What people are saying
We highly value the existing coordination within OPEC+ to ensure the stability of the global energy markets.
We stand united with the Kingdom and support its right to self-defence.
The GCC looks forward to Russia playing an active role in persuading Iran to comply with Resolution 2817, stop its attacks and respect freedom of navigation.
We must give the Gulf states the decisive say and the decisive decision in ensuring the security of the region.
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وزير خارجية البحرين عبداللطيف الزياني خلال الاجتماع الوزاري المشترك التاسع للحوار الإستراتيجي بين مجلس التعاون الخليجي وروسيا في البحرين: 🟠 نقف صفا واحدا مع المملكة ونؤيد حقها في الدفاع عن النفس 🟠 أمن السعودية جزء لا يتجزأ من أمن دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي