Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries called on Russia on Sunday to play an active role in urging Iran to cease its attacks on regional countries and to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions. They also urged Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to engage in a dialogue with Gulf states based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that Russia supports the peace efforts exerted by Arab countries to prevent the Middle East from sliding into a major war. The call came during the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia, which was hosted by the Bahraini capital, Manama. The meeting took place amid escalating regional tensions and ongoing threats facing the security of Gulf states, international navigation, and energy supplies. Chaired by Bahrain’s FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the meeting underlined the importance of working with Moscow in de-escalation efforts and addressing regional crises through political and diplomatic means. Lavrov stressed the need to grant Gulf states a decisive role in determining regional security arrangements. Officials are seen at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (GCC) Deepening contacts with the GCC remains a priority for Russian diplomacy, he added, pointing out that his country supports efforts to prevent the region from sliding into a large-scale war. "We must give the Gulf states the decisive word and the firm decision in ensuring the security of the region," he remarked, expressing his country's determination to move forward in strengthening the strategic dialogue with the Gulf states. In the same context, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Moscow and Riyadh expressed their concern over the tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The Bahraini Foreign Minister valued the Russian positions calling for de-escalation, stressing that the security of the GCC states is a pillar of international security. Addressing crises requires respecting the sovereignty of states and refraining from interfering in their internal affairs, he noted.
