UN members have been alerted about Iran's expansionist policies, flagrant violations of the principle of sovereignty, and constant interference in the internal affairs of Arab states. The alert was issued through a letter delivered to the UN General Assembly signed by a group of 11 countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Sudan and Yemen. The group condemned Iran's sponsoring of terrorism in the region, particularly in Yemen where it has financially, strategically, and militarily supported the Houthis. Iran has been training Houthi fighters and illegally shipping weapons and ammunition into Yemen in blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2231 (2015), said the group. They also condemned the Houthi attack on a United Arab Emirates civilian vessel ‘Swift' in the Strait of Bab Al-Mandeb on Oct. 1 in a clear violation of international law. The group highlighted that the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen was launched in response to a request for assistance from the government of Yemen in full conformity with international laws and the right to self-defense stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This request was noted in UN Security Council Resolution 2216, 2015. Led by Saudi Arabia, the Coalition's purpose is to protect Yemen and its people from the continuing aggression of the Iran-backed Houthis and to help Yemen counter terrorism. The group of co-signatories confirmed the importance of the work of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in achieving a comprehensive peace agreement to end the conflict in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, the National Dialogue Conference outcome and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The group reiterated that any interference by Iran is unacceptable and must be confronted. The countries stressed that the stability and economic prosperity of the Arabian Gulf region is based on maintaining good neighborliness and the principles of sovereignty, independence, and non-interference in domestic affairs of others. The letter also reaffirmed that the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the Arabian Gulf are an integral part of Emirati territory, and called on Iran to return the occupied islands to their rightful owner. Affirming support for the nuclear deal reached with Iran, the co-signatories said the agreement provided an opportunity for Iran to develop normal relations with its neighbors and demonstrate a commitment to regional stability, but Iranian aggression and its support for terror groups in the region has continued.
