Albudaiwi conveyed congratulations from GCC leaders to Al-Zaidi following his appointment as prime minister and the formation of Iraq’s new government, according to an official statement.

During the talks, Al-Zaidi said his administration was committed to strengthening ties with GCC member states, describing them as Iraq’s “Arab depth” and emphasizing the importance of broadening partnerships with regional and international partners.

The Iraqi prime minister said his government was entering a new phase focused on reinforcing state institutions, advancing economic development, strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding national sovereignty.

Albudaiwi welcomed the Iraqi government’s reform agenda, highlighting efforts to bolster the economy, combat corruption and ensure that weapons remain under the control of the state.

He also reaffirmed the GCC’s readiness to expand cooperation with Iraq across a range of sectors.

Separately, Albudaiwi met Faiq Zidan, president of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, to discuss judicial cooperation as well as regional and international developments.

Both sides emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to strengthen relations and promote security and stability across the region.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, rejecting what it described as assaults on Kuwait, Bahrain and the security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Kingdom said the attacks constituted a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, warning that such actions undermine regional and international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned what he described as terrorist Iranian attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait, saying they posed a direct threat to the security, stability and safety of citizens and residents in both countries.

Albudaiwi added that the continued attacks were undermining diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisis and reinforce peace and security.

The United Arab Emirates also condemned what it called renewed Iranian attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain, describing them as flagrant violations of the two countries’ sovereignty and a threat to regional security.

Qatar denounced the attacks and urged all parties to pursue dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation while adhering to the memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing regional tensions.

Jordan expressed solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain, describing the attacks as a serious violation of their sovereignty and reaffirming support for measures taken by both governments to safeguard their territorial integrity and protect their citizens and residents.

Egypt also condemned the reported Iranian drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them an unacceptable escalation that threatened regional security and jeopardized ongoing efforts to reduce tensions.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said the latest strike, carried out before dawn, represented a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and a direct threat to its national security. The ministry said the attacks breached international law and the United Nations Charter and warned that continued aggression would undermine diplomatic efforts to restore stability.

Bahrain said Iran had again targeted the kingdom with ballistic missiles and drones, describing the attacks as a deliberate and systematic policy of aggression rather than isolated incidents. The government reaffirmed its rejection of actions that violate state sovereignty and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to preserve peace across the Gulf.

The Muslim World League also condemned Iran’s earlier drone attacks against Bahrain. Secretary-General Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said the strikes violated religious principles, international law and humanitarian norms while undermining efforts to restore regional security and stability.

The latest diplomatic condemnations came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following renewed exchanges between Iran and its regional adversaries, placing additional strain on efforts to sustain a fragile regional ceasefire.

Speaking at a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers in Bahrain, Rubio said that international waterways must remain accessible to all nations and should not be subject to unilateral charges by countries located along strategic maritime routes.

“If we accept that a country can charge vessels for using an international waterway simply because it lies near its territorial waters, the practice could spread throughout the world like a contagion,” Rubio said. He cautioned that such a development could create widespread disruption to global trade and maritime transport.

The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran following a memorandum of understanding signed last week that ended the recent Middle East conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.

Rubio emphasized that Washington remains committed to reaching a durable peace agreement with Tehran but stressed that any deal must be credible, enforceable and verifiable.

“While we want a deal, we do not want a deal at any price,” he said. “We want a deal that is good, real, verifiable and adhered to.”

During his regional tour, which has included visits to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, Rubio also sought to reassure Gulf allies that their security concerns would remain central to US diplomacy.

He pledged that no aspect of a future US-Iran agreement would compromise the security, stability or economic interests of Gulf nations.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any restrictions, fees or disruptions in the waterway could have major consequences for international energy markets and global commerce.

Rubio’s comments reflect growing concern among Gulf states and major energy-importing nations about maintaining freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the agreement between Washington and Tehran to halt military operations and begin negotiations over a 60-day period aimed at reaching a permanent settlement.

Kuwait also welcomed the deal, which includes an immediate cessation of military operations and guarantees freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

Kuwait praised mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar, along with other countries involved in facilitating the agreement, and called for disputes to be addressed through dialogue, mutual respect and non-interference.

Qatar said the agreement could help bring a lasting end to military operations and reaffirmed its support for diplomacy as the preferred method of resolving conflicts.

Egypt and Lebanon also welcomed the development, saying it could help reduce regional tensions and create momentum for broader negotiations.

Egypt described the agreement as an important step toward restoring regional and international stability and said it hoped the end of the conflict would support wider diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the agreement could contribute to regional security and stability, while praising mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Türkiye also described the deal as a significant development that could strengthen peace and stability across the region.

The Gulf Cooperation Council welcomed the signing of the memorandum and expressed hope that it would lead to a lasting agreement and greater regional security.

Jordan said the start of negotiations toward a permanent settlement was an important step for restoring regional and international security.

The United States and Iran announced the agreement after more than three months of conflict. US President Donald Trump said he had authorized an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.

Details of the agreement were not immediately released, while further negotiations, including discussions related to Iran’s nuclear program, are expected to continue.

The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force on Monday, eliminates tariffs on most Indian exports to Oman, covering about 99% of the value of India’s shipments to the Gulf state. The agreement comes at a time when India is seeking to safeguard critical supply chains amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

Indian officials and trade experts say the pact assumes added significance as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens one of the world’s most important energy and shipping routes. Despite efforts to diversify sourcing and transport networks, India remains dependent on the corridor for roughly 30% of its crude oil imports and about 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas imports.

In a statement, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said Oman’s ports of Sohar, Duqm and Salalah would provide Indian exporters with enhanced access to Gulf and East African markets, helping establish what it described as a new trade gateway for Indian businesses.

Anil Wadhwa, a former Indian ambassador to Oman and a distinguished fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation, said the agreement had acquired immediate strategic relevance because of the regional crisis.

“The coming into force of the CEPA between India and Oman has immediately gained significance due to the crisis in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Wadhwa said, adding that the pact offered India alternative logistics channels, transshipment facilities and stronger commercial linkages at a time of growing uncertainty in global supply chains.

He said the agreement would not fully shield India from the broader economic consequences of a prolonged regional conflict but could help mitigate disruptions by preserving access to key trade corridors.

The CEPA is India’s second bilateral trade agreement with a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council after a similar pact with the United Arab Emirates signed in 2022. For Oman, the deal is its second bilateral free trade agreement after its accord with the United States in 2006.

Oman is India’s second-largest trading partner in the Gulf region, with bilateral trade exceeding $11 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Industry groups view the agreement as a mechanism to strengthen India’s manufacturing exports while reducing logistical dependence on routes affected by the Hormuz crisis.

Manish Mohan, senior director at the Confederation of Indian Industry, said the prolonged disruption of shipping through the strait had heightened concerns over fuel imports, fertilizer supplies and freight costs.

India, the world’s second-largest fertilizer consumer after China, uses more than 60 million tonnes of fertilizer annually. The conflict involving Iran has affected fertilizer supply chains, with Gulf producers accounting for about one-third of India’s imports of urea and phosphate-based fertilizers.

Mohan said Oman’s location outside the Strait of Hormuz increased its value as a commercial hub and alternative entry point for Indian imports if regional instability persists.

The agreement is also expected to support investment flows and deepen economic ties between the two countries, while providing Indian exporters with improved access to markets across the Gulf and eastern Africa through Omani ports and logistics infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued statements denouncing the strikes and expressing solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain.

The GCC called the attacks an “unacceptable hostile policy,” while Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the strikes represented a dangerous escalation threatening regional and international security.

Iran claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including facilities linked to the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Kuwaiti authorities said missile strikes caused significant damage at Kuwait International Airport, temporarily disrupting operations before flights resumed later in the day.

Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted missiles and drones as warning sirens sounded across the country. Kuwait said the attacks violated international law and undermined efforts to reduce regional tensions.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council also condemned the strikes, expressing support for Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted an air base allegedly used in a U.S. attack on Sirik Island, without identifying the location of the facility.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry said in a statement it condemned the “criminal Iranian attacks” targeting the country with missiles and drones, calling the incident a “dangerous escalation.” The statement came after Kuwait’s military announced that air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed hostile aerial threats over the country.

The Kuwaiti army did not initially identify the source of the projectiles, but said explosions heard across parts of the country resulted from interception operations carried out by air defense units. Authorities urged residents to comply with official security and safety instructions.

The U.S. military later described the incident as a serious breach of the ceasefire framework that has largely held since April. United States Central Command said in a statement that the missile strike on Kuwait represented an “egregious ceasefire violation.”

CENTCOM added that Iranian forces had earlier launched five one-way attack drones posing threats in and near the Strait of Hormuz. According to the U.S. military, all five drones were intercepted by American forces, which also prevented the launch of a sixth drone.

Iran acknowledged that U.S. forces had struck what Washington described as an Iranian drone operation threatening military assets and commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran said it subsequently targeted a U.S. air base at approximately 4:50 a.m. GMT following what it characterized as an earlier American strike near Bandar Abbas airport, though Iranian authorities did not specify the location of the base.

The latest exchanges mark one of the most serious escalations since a ceasefire took effect following the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran earlier this year. Despite a reduction in large-scale hostilities since April, Gulf states have continued to report intermittent drone incursions and missile threats originating from regional flashpoints, including Iraq.

Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks through its foreign ministry, denouncing what it called the continuation of “treacherous Iranian attacks” against Kuwait. The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement condemning what it described as “terrorist drone and missile attacks” targeting Kuwaiti territory, calling them a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said the continued attacks violated international law, the United Nations Charter and principles of good-neighborly relations.

The developments come as diplomatic efforts continue over a possible U.S.-Iran understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening negotiations surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, though uncertainty remains over the durability of the truce amid continued military activity across the Gulf.

The measure, ordered by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will cover salaries of insured Bahraini workers through the Unemployment Insurance Fund, as part of a broader government response to protect employment and support small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Gulf state has faced direct and indirect economic pressure from the conflict, including damage to industrial facilities, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a decline in tourism and exports. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and has been exposed to regional security risks during the hostilities.

Central bank measures have complemented fiscal support, with authorities injecting liquidity, easing lending conditions and allowing temporary deferrals on loan and credit card payments for businesses and households.

The Central Bank of Bahrain has also made funding available to banks against collateral to maintain credit flows.Analysts say the wage-support scheme reflects a shift in labor policy from post-crisis compensation to preemptive job protection.

Economists note that preserving employer-employee relationships during short-term disruptions can reduce long-term unemployment risks and support faster recovery.“By temporarily covering wages, it gives companies breathing space during short-term disruptions and reduces the need for immediate layoffs,” said Anthony Hobeika, managing partner at MENA Research Partners.

The approach mirrors measures adopted across the Gulf during the COVID-19 pandemic, when governments used unemployment insurance systems to subsidize private-sector wages. Bahrain itself implemented a similar program in 2020, while Saudi Arabia provided partial wage support under its SANED scheme.

Despite signs of economic resilience, including 3.5% GDP growth in 2025 driven largely by non-oil sectors, Bahrain’s fiscal position remains constrained. Moody’s Investors Service recently revised the country’s outlook to negative, citing deteriorating credit metrics and risks linked to the ongoing conflict.

The war has compounded structural vulnerabilities, including high public debt levels and limited fiscal space. Bahrain’s debt stood at roughly 140% of GDP before the conflict, according to external estimates.Regional support has also emerged, with the United Arab Emirates agreeing to a five-year currency swap arrangement worth about $5.45 billion to bolster liquidity and financial cooperation.

Economists caution that while wage subsidies can be effective in cushioning short-term shocks, their success depends on being temporary and targeted to avoid distorting labor markets.

Policymakers are expected to balance immediate job protection with longer-term goals of productivity and economic diversification.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Lebanese move to direct the army and security forces to enforce state authority and restrict weapons to official institutions marked a “significant step” toward strengthening sovereignty and stability. The decision aims to consolidate control in the capital and limit arms possession to legitimate state forces.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, stating that the measure could help enhance stability and safeguard citizens.

Separately, India’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of civilian casualties following heavy Israeli bombardment earlier this week, which killed more than 300 people according to reports.

New Delhi stressed that protecting civilians must remain a priority and called for adherence to international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The escalation comes amid ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, which has drawn in broader regional tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran.

Israeli operations in Lebanon have added strain to a fragile two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with both sides preparing for negotiations in Islamabad aimed at easing tensions.