Iran has sharply denounced a joint statement issued by the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), labeling it as “interventionist, irresponsible, and provocative.” Tehran accused Washington and its Gulf allies of attempting to exert pressure following the recent US-Israeli conflict involving Iran.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement on Friday rejecting the communique from the US-GCC ministerial meeting held in Bahrain on June 25. It criticized the statement for misrepresenting regional realities and reiterating long-standing US and Israeli positions concerning Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, regional alliances, and control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The joint declaration, issued after discussions in Manama co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, welcomed a June 17 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. Nevertheless, it emphasized that any future trade and investment with Iran would be “conditional and reversible.”
The ministers restated their common objective of preventing Iran from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. They also called for addressing the full range of Iranian threats, including ballistic missiles, drones, and support for proxy groups. Additionally, the statement rejected any attempts to impose tolls or control over the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the necessity of free navigation. The ministers further urged the complete disarmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon, implicitly referring to Hezbollah.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly refuted the accusations, insisting that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. He urged the GCC states to collaborate on establishing a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East. Baghaei emphasized that Iran is more committed to the region’s collective security than any other party and cautioned Gulf states against depending on the United States, which he described as the “greatest violator of security.”
Tehran also defended its right to self-defense, declaring that its missile and drone capabilities are non-negotiable. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian officials underscored that any credible security framework must include Tehran, consistent with the recent agreement with Oman.
Senior adviser Ali Akbar Velayati highlighted that regional stability has historically depended on Iran’s management of the waterway rather than the presence of Western military forces. The United States maintains a substantial military presence in the Gulf, with troop levels surpassing 50,000 during the recent escalation. Iran has repeatedly warned that hosting US bases exposes Gulf countries to significant risks in any potential confrontation.
