Iran dismisses GCC's anti-Iran allegations about retaliatory strikes as 'groundless'

The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically dismissed as “unfounded and baseless” the anti-Iran allegations made in a statement issued by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regarding Tehran's retaliatory operations amid the US-Israeli war of aggression.

Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized late on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains firmly committed to the principle of good neighborliness and respects the national sovereignty of neighboring states.

The Iranian diplomat pointed to the internationally unlawful involvement of certain GCC members in the US-Israeli onslaught against the Islamic Republic.

“Despite earlier assurances of commitment to legal and international obligations, and declarations that they wouldn’t allow their territory and facilities to be used in anti-Iran strikes, these governments did not take any measures to stop the process and even actively participated in the anti-Iran aggression," said Baghaei.

"Under the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3314, these governments have effectively become complicit in heinous US-Israeli atrocities against the Iranian nation,” he added.

He also rejected the remarks of GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi concerning the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iran, as a littoral state of the strategic waterway, adopted practical and appropriate measures aimed at self-defense in light of US-Israeli and allied offensives, and acted to deter threats and aggression against its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of maritime transit.

The spokesperson underscored that Iran’s defensive steps are fully in line with the principles of international law.

Baghaei further noted that Iran has long served as a pioneer in building trust among regional states and has consistently denounced divisive positions and stances.

He finally called on GCC member states to take the necessary measures to win Iran’s trust. 

To that end, he said, they must compensate for the damage inflicted on Iran due to their involvement in the US-Israeli airstrikes and refrain from any form of cooperation or collaboration with Iran’s enemies.

On February 28, following the assassination of the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale and unprovoked war of aggression against Iran.

In response, Iranian Armed Forces carried out a series of counterattacks over 40 days, targeting US and Israeli military assets and causing significant damage.

A two-week ceasefire was brokered on April 8, enabling negotiations in Islamabad where Iran presented a ten-point plan calling for the withdrawal of US troops and the lifting of sanctions.

Despite 21 hours of intensive talks, the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran without an agreement, citing a lack of trust in US commitments.

Amid these tensions, US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran has made clear that any return to ceasefire negotiations depends on lifting the US naval blockade. 

Officials argue that the continuation of the blockade constitutes a violation of the truce.

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