DUBAI — Arab countries on Sunday strongly condemned the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of serious repercussions and calling for a return to diplomacy.

 

Iran's former regional rival, Saudi Arabia, which resumed ties with Tehran in a Chinese-brokered detente in 2023, expressed "great concern" over the attacks.

 

Gulf countries have been engaged in intense but fruitless diplomatic efforts since Israel launched its air campaign on their neighbour Iran on June 13.

 

Many of the oil-rich countries host major US assets and bases, and fear that a spillover from the war could threaten their security and economies.

 

Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared "catastrophic consequences" for the region and the entire world.

 

Yemen's Houthi rebels repeated threats to target US vessels and warships in the Red Sea after the overnight strikes, which they described as a "war declaration" on the Iranian people.

 

On Saturday, the Iran-backed group had threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea, despite a recent truce, should Washington strike Iran.

US President Donald Trump said the attacks destroyed Iran's main nuclear sites, describing them as a "spectacular military success".

 

But his allies in the Gulf urged a return to negotiations.

 

Oman, which was mediating recent nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, strongly condemned the US strikes, labelling them illegal and calling for de-escalation.

The United Arab Emirates also expressed concern, calling for "an immediate end to the escalation".

 

Bahrain told most of its government employees to work from home until further notice, while its foreign ministry also urged a return to talks.

 

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which covers the region, is based in Bahrain.

 

Meanwhile, Kuwait activated an emergency plan that includes readying shelters.

 

The Tehran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned what it called "blatant US aggression" against Iran.

Iraq, another country that hosts US bases, expressed "deep concern and strong condemnation", government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said, calling the attacks "a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East".

Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it joins Israel in attacking Iran.

 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, largely seen as close to the United States, urged both sides to resume talks to restore stability.

 

Lebanon has been reeling from a destructive conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group that ended with a fragile truce last November.

 

Egypt also condemned the escalation, warning of "dangerous repercussions", while Jordan's foreign ministry voiced "deep concern".

 

Muslim countries urge end to Israel's 'aggression' against Iran

 

Meanwhile, foreign ministers from countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday urged Israel to end its "aggression" towards Iran, without mentioning the US strikes on the Islamic republic's nuclear sites.

 

Arch-rivals Israel and Iran have been at war since June 13 when Israel, claiming Tehran was on the verge of acquiring a nuclear bomb, launched a wave of devastating air strikes, killing top army commanders and scientists.

 

Iran immediately retaliated, and the two sides have been trading barrages since.

 

The ministers "condemn firmly the aggression of Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, stress the urgent need to stop Israeli attacks and their great concern regarding this dangerous escalation", said an OIC statement

 

It was published at the end of a OIC meeting in Istanbul this weekend.

 

It made no direct reference to the US bombardment of Iran's key nuclear facilities early Sunday, after President Donald Trump decided to join Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear programme.

 

But the OIC did denounce the "destabilisation policies of Israel in the region and its recent attacks on Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, constituting flagrant (a) violation of sovereignty and security of these countries and international law".

 

Attending the OIC meeting, Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Sunday morning that the United States and Israel had "breached a major red line".

 

Tehran would hit back at the American barrage "by all means necessary", he added.

 

Founded in 1969, the 57-member OIC sees its role as protecting the interests of the Muslim world and increasing Muslim solidarity.