Pentagon, Congress pledge support for Kuwait, GCC amid rising tensions

2026-03-23 - 07:12

Kuwait’s Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union and NATO, Nawaf Al-Enezi, reported that NATO allied nations expressed full solidarity with Kuwait and the GCC over repeated Iranian violations. The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative — a NATO-partnership platform including Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar — praised the Gulf states for exercising restraint and reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability through practical cooperation and enhanced situational awareness. International backing for Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is intensifying amid escalating security threats, with diplomatic and military measures underscoring the strength of strategic partnerships and the unified global stance against attacks that jeopardize regional stability, reports Al-Rai daily. Sheikha Zain Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, affirmed that the security of GCC countries is indivisible and constitutes a core principle of the GCC Charter. She made the remarks while attending a high-level meeting at the Pentagon with US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, alongside ambassadors from other GCC nations, to review the latest regional security developments. During the meeting, the ambassadors emphasized the importance of enhancing joint coordination to confront rising security challenges, including the protection of maritime and air navigation and countering ongoing Iranian attacks targeting Gulf states and Jordan. These attacks, which deliberately struck civilian infrastructure and facilities, were condemned as violations of sovereignty and international law. Colby reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its partnership with the GCC, highlighting the pivotal role of Gulf states in operating missile defense systems to intercept indiscriminate Iranian strikes against civilian areas. He also emphasized ongoing coordination under the framework of the historic US-GCC strategic partnership. The ambassadors further met with key members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Chairman Brian Mast and Vice Chairman Gregory Meeks, to discuss security developments and reinforce support for the region’s stability. Participants stressed the inherent right of the GCC countries to defend themselves, maintain sovereignty, and deter aggression. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union and NATO, Nawaf Al-Enezi, reported that NATO allied nations expressed full solidarity with Kuwait and the GCC over repeated Iranian violations. The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative — a NATO-partnership platform including Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar — praised the Gulf states for exercising restraint and reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability through practical cooperation and enhanced situational awareness. The diplomatic efforts highlight an increasingly coordinated international response aimed at deterring Iranian aggression and preserving security and stability across the Gulf region.