Gulf leaders meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss response to Iranian strikes

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a consultative Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Jeddah on Monday as Gulf leaders gathered to discuss a possible response to Iranian missile and drone attacks and the wider security fallout for the region.

Reuters reported that the gathering was the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders in months, coming after the conflict reached GCC states about two months earlier. A Gulf official told Reuters the meeting was intended to shape a coordinated response to the attacks.

Saudi state media said the leaders discussed regional and international developments, along with coordination efforts among the six-member bloc. The meeting was held against a backdrop of continuing concern in Gulf capitals about security risks and damage to energy infrastructure.

The GCC has already issued an official statement condemning the Iranian attacks and saying it had discussed steps to restore security and stability. Monday’s meeting signaled that Gulf leaders are now weighing whether to move from condemnation and coordination to more concrete collective action.

No formal joint outcome from the Jeddah meeting was immediately reported. Questions remained about whether the bloc would announce any specific military, diplomatic or economic measures, or whether the talks would result in a new joint statement.

The meeting also comes as Gulf governments continue to balance calls for regional deterrence with the risk of further escalation. The Gulf response will be closely watched for signs of greater unity among the GCC states and for any shift in how they handle direct threats from Iran.