CAIRO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Middle East and regional organizations on Monday condemned Iran's attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying the attacks represent a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning the latest Iranian attacks, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Saudi crown prince expressed the kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of "the unjustified Iranian attacks" targeting the UAE, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's support for the UAE in safeguarding its security and stability.
The two also reviewed regional developments and discussed efforts to enhance regional security and stability.
In a statement, Jordan's Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a blatant violation of the UAE's sovereignty and a dangerous escalation threatening its security, stability, and territorial integrity.
Also on Monday, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to reiterate Jordan's unwavering solidarity with the UAE and its full support for the UAE's efforts to protect its sovereignty and security.
Qatar on Monday strongly condemned an Iranian attack targeting an Emirati oil tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the tanker was struck by two drones, describing the incident as a "blatant violation of international law and the principle of freedom of maritime navigation" and a "flagrant breach" of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817.
The ministry reiterated Qatar's categorical rejection of using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure, calling for its unconditional reopening and stressing that freedom of navigation in this vital waterway is a firmly established principle that must not be compromised.
It warned that the continued closure of the strait would jeopardize the vital interests of countries in the region.
The ministry also called for an end to what it described as "unjustified" Iranian attacks on the property of neighbouring states, reaffirming Qatar's full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for all measures it may take to safeguard its assets.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its categorical rejection of any practices aimed at terrorizing civilians or destabilizing the Arabian Gulf region, affirming its full solidarity and support for the measures taken by the UAE to protect its national assets and sovereignty.
Egypt warned that the attacks represent a dangerous escalation that hinders efforts for calm and de-escalation, while constituting a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, condemned in the strongest terms the renewed Iranian attacks against the UAE, including the use of combat drones and missiles, the targeting of a UAE tanker with combat drones while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the drone attack on an oil facility in Fujairah.
Aboul Gheit stressed the need for an immediate end to all Iranian acts of aggression targeting the UAE or the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, holding Iran fully responsible for its unlawful actions that threaten international peace and security.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed that Arab national security is indivisible, expressing full solidarity and support for the UAE in the measures it takes to protect its security and territorial integrity.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), also expressed the Council's condemnation and denunciation of the Iranian attacks targeting the UAE.
He emphasized that this act of aggression represents a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of a GCC member state and a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability.
The GCC Secretary-General stressed that targeting the UAE is an unacceptable and condemnable behaviour by all standards, reflecting an escalatory approach that disregards the rules of international law and the principles of good neighbourliness.
Albudaiwi called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to halt these repeated Iranian attacks and put an immediate end to irresponsible actions that undermine regional and international peace and security. ■
