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The Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to discuss in Jeddah a joint response following damage to energy and civil infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia will host an extraordinary meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah on Tuesday, the first physical meeting of Gulf leaders since their countries became involved in the war with Iran two months ago.
A Gulf official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting aims to devise a response to the thousands of Iranian missile and drone attacks that Gulf countries have faced since the US and Israel launched the war with strikes on Iran on February 28.
According to the same source, the war has damaged key energy infrastructure in all six Council states. US-linked companies, civilian infrastructure and military installations have also been targeted.
Attacks have decreased since a ceasefire between the US and Iran came into effect on April 8. However, Gulf capitals remain concerned about the possibility of a resumption of the conflict, while US-Iran talks on a permanent agreement have yet to yield results.
Saudi state media reported that the emir of Qatar, the crown prince of Kuwait, the king of Bahrain and the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates had arrived in Jeddah to attend the summit. It was not clear who would represent Oman, the council's other member, alongside Saudi Arabia, where the organization is headquartered.
The council has faced criticism from the United Arab Emirates for what Abu Dhabi has called an inadequate response to the war.
"It is true that, logistically, the Council countries supported each other, but politically and militarily I think their stance was the weakest in history," senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash said at a conference in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
"I expected such a weak stance from the Arab League and it doesn't surprise me, but I didn't expect it from the Gulf Cooperation Council and that surprises me," he added.
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