The United States and six Gulf and Arab states published a joint statement condemning Iran’s missile and drone attacks on their countries and reaffirmed their right to self-defence.

Qatar has joined the United States of America and other Arab and Gulf countries in issuing a joint statement condemning what they described as Iran’s “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks” across the region.

The seven countries reaffirmed their right to self-defence, saying they stand united “in defense of our citizens, sovereignty, and territory”.

Released by the Governments of the United States, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the statement said the strikes targeted “sovereign territories across the region” and endangered civilian populations.

“These unjustified strikes targeted sovereign territory, endangered civilian populations, and damaged civilian infrastructure,” it read.

The signatories described Tehran’s actions as “a dangerous escalation” that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability.

The joint statement also commended “effective air and missile defence cooperation”, saying coordinated efforts helped prevent “far greater loss of life and destruction”.

The joint position comes amid heightened regional tensions following a series of missile and Iranian drone launches that have hit U.S. military bases and Gulf states including Qatar, where dozens of ballistic missiles and drones were intercepted.