Gulf leaders meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss response to Iranian strikes

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia convened a consultation meeting among Gulf Cooperation Council members in Jeddah on Tuesday, according to the state media, the first such meeting of Gulf leaders since their countries became embroiled in the Iran war two months ago.

An unnamed Gulf official told Al-Monitor that the goal was to develop an answer to the thousands of Iranian missile and drone strikes against Gulf nations since the war began when US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on February 28.

Saudi state media reported that the summit reviewed “issues and topics concerning regional and international affairs and coordinating efforts regarding them.”

In the Iran war, critical energy facilities in all six GCC countries have been targeted, as well as US-linked companies and other civilian infrastructure and military bases.

The attacks have dropped off in frequency since a US-Iran ceasefire took effect on April 8, but Gulf governments are still apprehensive about a renewed fight, as talks between the US and Iran aimed at bringing the war to an end have made little progress thus far.