Türkiye

halt its attacks on regional states, warning that the future of relations with Tehran depends on its respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. Foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries on Wednesday called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks on regional states, warning that the future of relations with Tehran depends on its respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. The meeting brought together foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. In a joint statement issued after a consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh, the ministers stressed that continued Iranian actions — both direct and through allied groups — threaten regional security and undermine prospects for diplomacy. “The future of relations with Iran depends on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs,” the statement said, in a clear reference to Tehran’s support for proxy groups across the region. The ministers strongly condemned what they described as deliberate Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential buildings, and diplomatic premises across Gulf Cooperation Council countries and beyond. They said such actions “cannot be justified under any pretext,” and affirmed the right of affected states to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Calling for immediate de-escalation, the ministers urged Iran to adhere to international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of good neighborliness as a first step toward restoring stability and advancing diplomatic solutions. (Click picture above to read full story)

The US-Israeli war against Iran is in its third week. It is taking its toll, even if in different ways, on all the countries involved, on the Gulf states and other neighbouring countries, and ultimately on the whole world. This war must be stopped as soon as possible, before it does more harm. One aspect of the conflict however deserves special attention. This is Iran's attacks on the neighbouring GCC states, and other countries such as Azerbaijan and Turkey. These attacks have been indiscriminate, and have already killed or injured innocent civilians, and did untold damage especially to the neighbouring GCC states. US president Donald Trump was disingenious when he said yesterday (16 March) that he was taken by surprise. Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei said on 1 February clearly "America should know that if it starts a war, this time it will be a regional war". The warning does not excuse Iranian action. The Gulf countries and other neighbours did not want a war on Iran, and tried to prevent it.  The targeting of civilians and civilian targets in unacceptable in all situations, but becomes more serious when those targeted are in non beligerent countries. Iran must stop attacking its neighbours now! They are a path to de-escalation, and a cease fire. The world stands in solidarity with the GCC countries and other neighbours. Iran has to understand this.