- Safiu Kehinde
The United States and the Gulf countries have strongly condemned what they labelled “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks” on their sovereign territories by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This was contained in a joint statement issued by the Governments of the Gulf countries and the U.S. on the retaliatory attacks launched by Iran across the region.
NPO Reported that Iran had on Saturday launched multiple attacks on the neigbouring countries following the missiles strikes by the US and Israeli troops which killed the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameni.
In the wake of the multiple attacks, Iran had launched a counterattack on countries like Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
While the Iranian army had largely targeted the US military base in the neighbouring countries, missiles however landed in public areas like the Abu Dhabi airport and Dubai hotels, including the Burj Khalifa.
Reacting in the statement released by the U.S. Department of State on Sunday night, the gulf countries said Iran’s “unjustified strikes” targetted sovereign territory, endangered civilian populations, and damaged civilian infrastructure.
“The Islamic Republic’s actions represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability,” the statement read.
“The targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behaviour.
“We stand united in defense of our citizens, sovereignty, and territory, and reaffirm our right to self-defence in the face of these attacks.” It continued.
The countries said they “remain committed to regional security and commend the effective air and missile defense cooperation that has prevented far greater loss of life and destruction”.