Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders convened an emergency in-person summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to address the escalating Iran crisis. This marks the first such gathering since the Iran-Israel war began on February 28. A GCC official told Reuters that the meeting aims to develop a coordinated response to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks, which have targeted key infrastructure, including U.S.-linked facilities and military bases across the six member states.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8, attacks have decreased but discussions have yet to yield a final resolution. The ongoing uncertainty has heightened anxiety among Gulf monarchies. Saudi state media reported that Qatar’s Emir, Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Bahrain’s King, and the UAE’s Foreign Minister have arrived in Jeddah, while Oman’s representation remains unclear.

UAE senior official Anwar Gargash criticized the GCC’s current stance, saying that while member states cooperate on logistics, their political and military positions are at their weakest in history, a situation he did not expect from the GCC.