Egypt Backs GCC and Jordan Statement Condemning Iranian Attacks

Egypt has endorsed a joint statement by the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan condemning recent Iranian attacks, its foreign ministry said on Friday 24 July.

Egyptian Streets reported that the GCC-Jordan statement had been issued the previous day, 23 July, and condemned Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries and Jordan as violations of international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

According to Ahram Online, the joint declaration described Iran's actions as a "blatant violation" of the UN Charter and international law, and reaffirmed the right of Arab states to self-defence and to take all necessary security and legal measures. Ahram Online said the strikes targeted critical infrastructure in Gulf states and Jordan, and that Tehran characterised them as retaliation for the US-Israel conflict.

Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad said the declaration reflected Arab unity in confronting the threats facing the region, and that Egypt fully supports the legitimate measures taken by Arab states to preserve their security, stability and sovereignty, Egyptian Streets reported. The ministry also stressed respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all states.

Both outlets reported that Egypt condemned any actions threatening the security and freedom of international navigation.

That concern had been raised in Amman five days earlier. Jordan's state news agency Petra reported that on 19 July, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi condemned the Iranian attacks on Jordan and the GCC states, declared their full solidarity, and called for a comprehensive agreement that would guarantee freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.