Iran demands compensation from Gulf states over war role

In a letter addressed to Antonio Guterres and Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani alleged that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan had violated international obligations by enabling attacks on Iranian territory.

Accusations of complicity

Tehran claims the five countries provided support—directly or indirectly—to US and Israeli military operations, thereby contributing to damage and casualties inside Iran. Iravani said those involved “should be held responsible” and compensate Iran for losses incurred during the conflict.

The allegations mark a significant escalation on the diplomatic front, expanding the scope of accountability beyond Washington and Tel Aviv to include regional actors.

Appeal to the United Nations

By bringing the case to the United Nations, Iran is seeking to frame the issue within international law and push for formal recognition of what it describes as violations. The complaint places additional pressure on the United Nations Security Council to address the claims, though any concrete action remains uncertain.

Conflict and ceasefire context

The dispute follows weeks of intense hostilities after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in widespread casualties. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, as well as sites in Iraq, Jordan and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

A two-week ceasefire was announced last week, but diplomatic efforts have yet to yield a breakthrough. Talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan, concluded after 21 hours without agreement, underscoring the fragility of the current pause in fighting.