Qatar and Saudi Arabia lead 12 countries to condemn Iranian strikes

Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaSyria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates issued the joint statement after a consultative meeting in Riyadh.

The countries accused Iran of deliberately targeting residential areas, oil facilities, airports and diplomatic buildings throughout the region.

The ministers reaffirmed what they called the right of affected countries to defend themselves under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and urged Iran to immediately stop its attacks and abide by international law.

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Foreign ministers of the Arab and Islamic world will meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 18, 2026, for a consultative meeting aimed at calming military tensions in the Middle East. (Mustafa Hatipoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)

They also called on Tehran to respect their rights Territorial sovereigntyStop supporting its militias in Arab countries and avoid actions that could threaten maritime security, including in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, a major global shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The statement also expressed its support for Lebanon’s stability and sovereigntyHe also condemns Israel’s actions in the country and its “expansionist policy in the region.”

“The Ministers reaffirm their commitment to continuing intensive consultation and coordination in this regard, to monitor developments and evaluate emerging issues in a way that ensures the development of common positions and takes the necessary legitimate measures and actions to protect their security, stability and sovereignty, and to stop hostilities. Heinous Iranian attacks On its territory,” the joint statement said.

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Qatar Energy facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City on March 3, 2026, after the company halted liquefied natural gas production at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed sites following reported Iranian attacks. (Stringer/Getty)

It comes after one day Israel bombed the southern Iranian region of Fars gas field, leading to Iranian retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, including the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Doha, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas production facility.

Oil prices Oil prices rose on Thursday morning following the strikes, with Brent crude rising to $114.08 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude rising to $97.41.

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Gas prices are displayed at a station in Brooklyn, New York City, on March 18, 2026, as global fuel costs rise amid unrest linked to the Iranian conflict and shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

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president Donald Trump He said on his “Truth Social” platform that Israel will stop further strikes on the Iranian South Pars gas field unless Tehran escalates, warning that the United States may respond with overwhelming force if Qatari liquefied natural gas facilities are targeted again.

“The United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entire South Pars gas field with a degree of force and power that Iran has never seen or seen before,” Trump wrote. He added: “I do not want to allow this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term repercussions it will have on Iran’s future, but if Qatari LNG is attacked again, I will not hesitate to do so.”