Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call with Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, the Emirates News Agency reported on July 9, 2026. The UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister reviewed efforts to achieve stability and sustainable peace that would support prosperity for the peoples of the region. The two ministers condemned the renewed Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s solidarity with Bahrain and its support for the kingdom’s security and stability.
The UAE minister noted that the security of the UAE and Gulf states forms an integral part of Bahrain’s security, according to the WAM statement. The officials also addressed several issues of mutual interest during their conversation. This call was part of multiple outreach efforts by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to foreign ministers of brotherly nations that same day, Gulf News reported.
Iranian forces targeted sites in Bahrain and Kuwait with drones and missiles following US strikes on Iranian targets, Reuters reported. A power and water plant in Kuwait was hit, leading to a fire, Al Jazeera reported. The attacks were described by Iran as retaliation against US military bases in those countries.
A UN Security Council resolution passed in March 2026 condemned Iran’s previous strikes against GCC countries including Bahrain and Kuwait, the Security Council Report stated. The resolution demanded that Iran stop the attacks and respect international law, particularly regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. It was sponsored by Bahrain on behalf of the entire GCC bloc.
The GCC continues to play a central role in addressing these security challenges, according to a monthly forecast from the Security Council Report. Established in 1981, the organisation promotes coordination among its six members on political and security matters. Recent diplomatic dialogues, including a July 1, 2026 regional security meeting in Bahrain hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force, emphasised collaboration, a US Central Command release said.
Admiral Brad Cooper stressed the shared commitment to regional stability during that forum, the Central Command document noted. The phone call between the UAE and Bahraini ministers aligns with broader GCC consultations that have intensified since the latest round of attacks. Such communications help maintain aligned positions among member states amid the tensions.
