March 11, 2026
Source: https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16315.doc.htm
On March 11, 2026, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2817 with 13 votes in favor and none against, while China and Russia abstained. The resolution condemned Iran’s conventional military attacks against multiple sovereign Arab states.
Introduced by the Kingdom of Bahrain, a nonpermanent council member, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — in cooperation with Jordan, the resolution garnered a record 135 states as co-sponsors, underscoring the breadth of consensus.
The language of the resolution was direct and harsh, condemning Iran’s actions, calling them “egregious attacks” and affirming “the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense in response to the deplorable armed attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as recognized by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”
Gulf Arab states made a statement about their anonymity in facing Iran; however, three weeks into the war, these states had not joined in fighting the Iranian Islamic Republic, awaiting additional U.S. and Israeli military actions against Tehran or perhaps some diplomatic outcome to taper off the war that began February 28 with combined U.S and Israeli airstrikes inside Iran.
— Ken Stein, March 25, 2026
Read the Full Article in a Printable PDFResolution 2817 (2026)
Adopted 13-0 by the Security Council at its 10119th meeting on 11 March 2026.
The Security Council,
Having considered the letter dated 28 February 2026 from the representative of Bahrain, submitted on behalf of the Member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, concerning the missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against their territories,
Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan,
Recalling its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,
Noting all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Recalling Resolution 552 (1984), which takes into consideration the importance of the Gulf region to international peace and security and its vital role to the stability of the world economy, and reaffirms the right of navigation for shipping en route to and from all ports and installations of the littoral States that are not parties to the hostilities,
Affirming the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense in response to the deplorable armed attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as recognized by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,
Deploring the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including airports, energy installations, objects necessary for food production and distribution, and critical civilian infrastructure, as well as the indiscriminate use of weapons in populated areas and their consequences for the civilian population, as well as attacks and threats on merchant and commercial vessels in and near the Strait of Hormuz and at the disruption of maritime security and the adverse impact on international trade, energy security and global economy resulting from destabilizing activities and regional tensions in violation of international law,
Further noting the strenuous efforts made by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and other countries in the region by engaging in mediation efforts to facilitate dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the international community and to address differences and settle disputes by peaceful means to spare the region the dangers of escalation,
Affirming its full commitment to promoting the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East,
1. Reiterates its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan;
2. Condemns in the strongest terms the egregious attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan and determines that such acts constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security;
3. Further condemns that residential areas were attacked, that civilian objects have been targeted and that the attacks resulted in civilian casualties and damage of civilian buildings; and expresses solidarity with these countries and their people;
4. Demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan;
5. Demands that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately and unconditionally cease from any provocation or threats to neighboring States, including the use of proxies;
6. Calls upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to comply fully with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict;
7. Reaffirms the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks and provocations, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms;
8. Condemns any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab; affirms that any attempt to impede lawful transit passage or freedom of navigation in these international waterways constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security; and calls upon Iran to refrain immediately from any actions or threats in accordance with international law;
9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Voting in favor: Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Abstaining: China and Russia.
