Gulf states have vowed to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, including by “responding to the aggression” if need be, reports AFP.

They reached the consensus after the Gulf Cooperation Council convened via video-link to formulate a unified response.

The foreign ministers of the six GCC states — the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, all of which have experienced Iranian strikes — “reviewed the extensive damage resulting from the treacherous Iranian attacks” and discussed steps for restoring stability in the region.

Gulf countries “will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and to protect their territories, citizens, and residents, including the option of responding to the aggression”, a statement released after the meeting said.

It also called for the “immediate cessation of these attacks”, adding that the stability of the “Gulf region is not merely a regional concern but a fundamental pillar of global economic stability”.