Where did Iran’s neighbors Bahrain Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE and Oman stand during the UN general assembly on the war and why?

Where each one stood

Why they landed there

The war began on February 28, 2026, with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran answered with missiles and drones fired at its Gulf neighbors, hitting the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. In March the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2817, condemning Iran’s attacks, after a complaint Bahrain filed on behalf of the Gulf states.

That left each government with two positions at once: against Iran, because Iran struck their cities, airports and oil facilities, and critical of Israel, over Gaza and the Palestinian question. The difference between them is tone. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain spoke most sharply against Iran; Oman, the region’s long-time go-between, stayed with restraint and dialogue; Yemen’s government aimed at the Iran-backed Houthis who hold much of the country.

Saudi Arabia, in its own words

“The security of the Gulf region is part and parcel of the security of the region and the world at large.”

“The international community has been absent from assuming its responsibilities in confronting all that threatens international peace and security.”

“The kingdom stresses the importance of guaranteeing the protection of freedom of navigation in all international waterways, foremost among them the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden.”

“The kingdom rejects any party’s use of these vital passages as a tool for pressure, threat, or harm to the interests of states, in a manner consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

“Sustainable regional relations cannot be built on domination, influence or exploitation of crises.”

On Iran, Prince Faisal spoke of “flagrant Iranian attacks” and asked for the Strait of Hormuz to return to how it was before February 28, “without imposing any fees or taxes.” On Gaza, he condemned the “targeting of civilians, obstruction of humanitarian assistance, attempted forced displacement and expansion of settlements,” and backed a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Kuwait, in its own words

The Crown Prince called Iran’s strikes a “despicable aggression” by “ballistic and cruise missiles and drones” that “represent a flagrant violation of the international law,” and said they “targeted, systematically and recurrently, civilian property and vital facilities,” including Kuwait’s airport. On Palestine, he restated Kuwait’s “principled and steadfast” position: an end to Israel’s violations, full withdrawal from Gaza, and “an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Bahrain, in its own words

“A resolution adopted but not implemented has no value, and a right that’s recognized but not protected has no value or meaning.”

Al Zayani accused Iran of “waves of unjustified attacks” using “ballistic missiles and drones aimed at civilian infrastructure,” and condemned Houthi strikes on “civilian and Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia.” He backed “an independent, geographically contiguous Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.”

Oman, in its own words

At the Assembly:

“We call upon all parties concerned to settle their outstanding disputes through pursuing a policy of self-restraint and foresight, and through engaging in dialog to reach consensual, political solutions.”

“Oman once again reaffirms its steadfast commitment to continuing its efforts aimed at safeguarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

On the day the war began, February 28:

“I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined.”

“Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this.”

“I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”

Yemen, in its own words

“An entire generation was born amid war, grew up amid hunger, fear and weapons.”

“The path to a secure sea requires a stable Yemen.”

The Vice-President said the war with the Houthis could not have lasted so long without Iran’s weapons, expertise and military technology, and that “restoring the Yemeni state and securing Bab al-Mandab are one issue, not two.” He also reaffirmed Yemen’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to an independent state.

The UAE, in its own words

From the UAE’s ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, when the Security Council condemned Iran’s attacks in March:

“The adoption of this resolution, co-sponsored by 135 countries, sends a clear and unified message that the international community will not tolerate attacks on our sovereignty or the deliberate targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.”

Worth knowing

• Qatar, also struck by Iran, is not in the question but sits in the same group; its Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, spoke for resuming talks.
• On the sidelines, President Donald Trump met leaders and senior officials from the Gulf states and Jordan to discuss the war with Iran.