April 21, Kathmandu – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned Iran on Wednesday for the attacks in Kuwait and Bahrain. The organization described these assaults as cowardly, further escalating tensions in the Gulf region. GCC Secretary-General Jasim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi stated that Iran has persistently engaged in such activities, posing a serious threat to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Gulf nations. He emphasized that Iran’s recent attacks violate international law, United Nations regulations, and global standards, urging the international community to take a firm stance to halt such actions. The GCC comprises Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On Wednesday, an Iranian drone missile targeted Kuwait’s airport, causing damage and temporarily halting flights. Several individuals were reported injured in the attack. Tehran has warned that any country allowing its territory to be used for attacks against Iran will face severe retaliation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked that the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran will only conclude with a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon.
In an interview with Al-Mayadeen, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s steadfast position regarding the ceasefire and conflict resolution. Following news of the ceasefire, oil prices dropped. After US-mediated talks, Israel and Lebanon agreed to fully implement the ceasefire. This agreement focuses on removing Hezbollah’s presence from southern Lebanon and strengthening security arrangements there. The US State Department confirmed that both parties have committed to respecting and effectively enforcing the pre-existing ceasefire.
According to the agreement, Hezbollah will withdraw from Lebanon’s Litani River area in the south and cease all armed activities originating from there. Additionally, several “pilot zones” will be established, where only the Lebanese army will be deployed, with no presence of non-government armed groups. This is not a new ceasefire but an extension of the truce that has been in effect since May, prolonged for 45 days. The recent agreement centers on enforcing this arrangement. The strengthening of the ceasefire has led to a decline in crude oil prices on international markets, raising hopes of eased tensions in West Asia. Brent crude decreased by 67 cents (0.69%) to $97.14 per barrel, while US WTI crude fell by 62 cents (0.65%) to $95.40 per barrel. The market attributed the drop to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Investors are optimistic that reduced regional tension increases the likelihood of resolving the larger conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. US President Donald Trump has informed his aides that he would reconsider ending the ceasefire if American military personnel are killed in any Iran-related attacks. This information was reported by The Wall Street Journal. Despite multiple clashes between the US and Iran, large-scale military operations have been avoided. Officials say that Trump currently prefers to avoid escalating the conflict into a full-scale war in the Middle East. The report notes that while Trump may tolerate minor military incidents or tensions for some time to prevent full-scale warfare, the death of US soldiers could prompt him to alter his stance and terminate the ceasefire.
