Explanation and Analysis of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Approaches to the 12-Day War between Iran and the Zionist Regime: Balancing Regional Security and Diplomacy

Azizyan, Omid; Hosseini, Fariba

doi:10.22080/jpir.2025.29947.1451

Explanation and Analysis of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Approaches to the 12-Day War between Iran and the Zionist Regime: Balancing Regional Security and Diplomacy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

omid azizyan ¹
Fariba Hosseini ²

¹ Department of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

² Master's student in Political Geography (Iranian Studies), Khwarizmi University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22080/jpir.2025.29947.1451

Abstract

Following the Zionist regime's military attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military infrastructure, and the assassination of prominent figures in Khordad 1404 (May-June 2025), the Persian Gulf region witnessed significant geopolitical tensions. This crisis, with its extensive security, political, and economic repercussions, prompted a response from the Gulf Cooperation Council. This research was conducted with the aim of examining the GCC's reaction to the conflict between Iran and the Zionist regime and assessing its coordination, effectiveness, and strategic nature. The main hypothesis of the study is that the GCC adopted a cautious and non-interventionist approach, emphasizing a balance between security, economic, and diplomatic considerations. The research method is qualitative and includes content analysis of official statements, diplomatic documents, and regional data. The theoretical framework is based on the Regional Security Complex theory and Neoliberal Institutionalism. Findings indicate that while the GCC emphasized ceasefire and diplomacy in its political statements, in practice, it lacked a unified policy due to divergent interests among its members. The responses occurred on three levels: official statements of condemnation, neutral positions taken by some members, and mediation efforts by Qatar and Oman. Actions such as closing airspace and the mediations by Qatar and Oman were among the most significant practical responses from the Council. The research results highlight the necessity of revising the GCC's institutional capacities for managing future crises. This study suggests that enhancing coordination among members and developing joint mechanisms could increase the Council's effectiveness in dealing with regional crises.

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