No sooner did President Donald J. Trump declare “major combat operations” against the Iranian regime and its offensive military capabilities than the Iranian regime began retaliating by firing missiles at Israel and several Arab countries.
This has triggered immediate, clear, and unequivocal condemnations of Iran by numerous Arab governments.
I have been very encouraged to see the Saudis denounce Iranian aggression so strongly this morning after sending signals in recent weeks that they hoped the U.S. would not take military action.
Senior Saudi officials now tell me they fully back President Trump’s approach toward the region and believe the Mideast could soon be utterly transformed for the better.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan,” declared the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
“The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake.”
“It also warns of the grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.”
Fortunately, the Saudis are not alone.
The government of the United Arab Emirates has also taken a very strong stand against Iran.
“The United Arab Emirates has condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian missile attacks that targeted the UAE and several brotherly nations in the region, considering these acts a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” said the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The UAE reaffirmed its categorical rejection of the use of the territories of regional states as arenas for settling disputes or expanding the scope of conflict, warning of the grave consequences of continued violations, which undermine regional and international security and threaten global economic stability and energy security.”
“The UAE underscored that it retains its full and legitimate right to respond to these attacks in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, and ensures the safety of its citizens and residents, in accordance with international law. The UAE will not tolerate any compromise to its security or sovereignty under any circumstances.”
The Kingdom of Bahrain — which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet — was attacked Saturday morning by Iran.
Bahrain’s National Communications Center immediately issued the government’s strong condemnation.
“The NCC conveyed the Government of Bahrain’s strongest condemnation of these treacherous attacks, which posed a direct threat to the Kingdom’s security and the safety of its citizens and residents.”
“The Government affirmed its full right to respond and to take all necessary measures to defend its national security and safeguard its sovereignty, in coordination with its allies and partners.”
ALL ARAB NEWS is seeing similar statements by the governments of Jordan and Qatar, and we expect others to weigh in soon.
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