Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani (Bahrain) on Maritime Security - Security Council Media Stakeout

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. We meet again five months after our last press takeout on this very issue. The threat we face remains very real. and continues to grow. Yesterday, an attack on a vessel off the coast of Oman tragically claimed the life of an Indian citizen. Earlier today, the Houthi militias launched six ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia. I extend my sincere condolences to India and the victim's family. and to all those who have lost innocent lives as a result of this ongoing threat. I also reaffirm my full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of these attacks. In this context, and reflecting the continued concerns of the international community, I have the honor to read the following joint statement on behalf of 80 countries. as listed in the annex to this statement. We remain steadfast in our support for Resolution 2017, condemning Iran's continued attacks against its regional neighbors and its disruption of international trade, energy security, and the global economy. And we call for its full implementation. Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms. We also strongly condemn the Houthis' decision to resume conflict in Yemen, their continued strikes on Saudi Arabia, and their reckless attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthis' advance towards the Bab el-Mandeb will only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security, the global trade through this critical waterway. We reiterate our call for the urgent and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the safe, secure, and unimpeded transit of vessels without the imposition of tolls, conditions, or illegal charges in line with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to avoid further disrupting global trade. As the Secretary General said last month, choking the arteries of global trade and squeezing the global food system will result in higher prices, deepening hunger, weaker harvests, and greater suffering, especially for the world's most vulnerable. In this context, we express our gratitude to those who work tirelessly to restore the flow of global trade, despite the risks to their safety. Commercial shipping and seafarers must never be used as leverage. and we condemn Iran's actions that put innocent lives at risk. We reaffirm our support for the vital role of the International Maritime Organization and partners in the region in reestablishing safe, secure, and unimpeded transit regimes in the Strait of Hormuz. and to working with the shipping industry to ensure they can resume operations as soon as conditions permit. We call for the full restoration of navigational rights and principles without delay. In concluding, I thank all the foreign ministers with us today. as well as the High Representative of the European Union, the Secretaries General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, and all the representatives of countries and other organizations that have joined this statement and stand with us today. The joint statement remains open for other United Nations member states to join, and we strongly encourage all those who believe in the freedom of navigation to do so. The full list of participating member states and organizations will be available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Joseph Klein of Canada Free Press. My question is whether Bahrain, either individually or with other Gulf countries, have had any back-channel contacts with Iran. If you have, I understand you wouldn't be able to elaborate, but if you could give us a general sense of where those talks, if they occurred, have gone, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

As all know, that diplomacy is always there, and there are channels for diplomacy, and we appreciate those who are doing it. Yes, sir.

Is there a chance, any political chance, to have a political solution with the current regime, or there must be another more serious solution?

Well, always political solution is the objective that we all seek, and hopefully one day will be reached. Thank you.

Thank you very much.