Overview
- The Council on Thursday adopted its first presidential statement on UN–GCC cooperation, elevating the partnership and asking the UN chief for recommendations to deepen ties.
- Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to safeguard navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the UN Law of the Sea’s guarantee of transit passage while negotiators work to build consensus on the text.
- The United Kingdom condemned Iranian strikes on Gulf states and said its foreign minister gathered more than 40 countries on Thursday to coordinate safe passage through the strait.
- Positions in the Council remain split, with the UK and France blaming Iran, Russia pointing to the United States and Israel, and China and Pakistan urging a ceasefire, talks, and protection of shipping under a five‑point plan.
- Bahrain reports 186 missiles and 419 drones have hit since February 28, damaging desalination plants, oil sites, and buildings, and GCC officials warn disruptions in the Gulf can quickly jolt global markets because the waterway carries major oil and gas flows.