The United Kingdom, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and Jordan have condemned a Houthi attack on a Saudi-operated vessel, the ENCELIA, in the Red Sea. The UK Foreign Office called the attack reckless, saying it endangered lives, risked environmental disaster, and undermined regional stability in violation of international law. Britain reaffirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and demanded an immediate halt to such attacks.
In a joint statement, the GCC states and Jordan condemned what they described as Iranian aggression and actions by its proxies against their territories. They cited previous resolutions and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). The countries said attacks attributed to Iran have continued since February 28, 2026, and intensified after a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran on June 17. They noted that Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan had been particularly affected by attacks on energy facilities, desalination plants, ports, and other civilian infrastructure.
The statement affirmed the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and said they would take all lawful measures to protect their sovereignty and critical infrastructure. They welcomed Iraq's decision to place all weapons under state control by September 30, 2026, and called on the UN Security Council to adopt an urgent resolution demanding a halt to the attacks.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates condemned the attack, calling it a serious threat to maritime safety and a dangerous escalation. The UAE called for implementation of relevant UN resolutions, including Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on freedom of navigation.