On March 18, foreign ministers from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE met in Riyadh to address escalating tensions after Iran’s recent ballistic missile and drone attacks.
In a joint statement, they denounced the strikes as deliberate and unjustifiable, stressing that they targeted civilian areas and infrastructure. The ministers affirmed that states have the right to defend themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while urging Iran to halt its actions and return to diplomacy.
They also warned against threats to global shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, calling for maritime security to be safeguarded. The statement demanded Iran stop supporting and arming militias in Arab countries.
At the same time, the ministers reaffirmed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, backing efforts to limit weapons to the state, while condemning Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and its expansionist policies. The meeting reflects growing regional concern about escalation and the urgent need for dialogue to prevent a wider crisis.
