On Friday, the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) released a joint statement calling for greater defence cooperation amid Iran’s “continuing destabilising policies” in the Middle East.
Iran’s Weapon Supplies
The statement condemned Iran’s support for terrorism, use of missiles, drones and cyber weapons, proliferation of weapons, and nuclear programme. Noting that Iran and its proxies have used advanced weapons in attacking civilians, infrastructure, and shipping, the US and GCC expressed “grave concerns” about Tehran’s activities.
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It also mentioned that Iran’s support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
In a possible reference to Russia, the statement said Tehran’s weapons supplies to state actors “pose a grave security threat to the region and the entire world.”
Tehran’s Nuclear Advances
The release stated that Iran’s nuclear advances “have no credible civilian purpose and are gravely exacerbating regional and global tensions.”
In this respect, Washington and its Gulf partners called on Tehran to “immediately reverse course, cease its nuclear provocations, engage in meaningful diplomacy, and fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”
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The US further reasserted its commitment to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
One topic of discussion among @GCC Working Group members will be Iran’s practice of selling and exporting Iranian drone technologies for Russia’s use in Ukraine and negative implications for Middle East safety and security. @USEnvoyIran @StateDept_NEA pic.twitter.com/nOtM61XOvU
— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) February 15, 2023
According to the IAEA, Iran has been enriching uranium to 60% purity across several nuclear sites, including Natanz and the underground Fordow facility. This will allow Iran to quickly reach the minimum weapons-grade level of 25 kg of 90% enriched uranium required to manufacture one nuclear bomb.
Enhancing Defence Cooperation
Released a day after US and GCC delegations met as part of the strategic working group in Riyadh, the release called for both sides to expand defence cooperation to “constrain” Iran’s activities and “deter” Tehran from conducting future acts of aggression.
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On Tuesday, the US and GCC released a detailed statement on defence cooperation, which included setting up an integrated air and missile defence system in the region and jointly ensuring maritime security. This will result in a “more networked architecture for collective defence in the Gulf,” the statement noted.
The US and GCC agreed to hold further talks to discuss the regional missile defence system and maritime security.