Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are set to convene an emergency online meeting of foreign ministers this evening to address Iran's ongoing attacks on the region, following deadly U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Two Gulf diplomats confirmed the virtual gathering, necessitated by widespread airport closures triggered by the escalating conflict, with discussions focusing on Iranian strikes targeting Gulf states and formulating a coordinated response. This comes as Tehran launches a second day of reprisals after the initial assaults on its military and nuclear sites.

Saudi Arabia took decisive diplomatic action Sunday, summoning the Iranian ambassador to protest Tehran's "brazen attacks" on the kingdom and neighboring brotherly nations. The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on its X account, condemning the strikes that have disrupted air travel and heightened regional tensions. The move underscores Riyadh's firm stance amid reports of Iranian missiles and drones targeting infrastructure across the Gulf, including key aviation hubs in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

The GCC meeting, originally planned as in-person but shifted online due to flight suspensions, reflects the unprecedented travel chaos gripping the Middle East—the worst since the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain will prioritize de-escalation strategies, potential joint defenses, and communication with global powers like the U.S. under President Trump. Diplomats emphasized urgency, noting Iran's vows of intensified operations against U.S. and Israeli assets in the region.

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This crisis builds on Friday's U.S.-Israel operation, dubbed "intensive and precise," which neutralized key Iranian leadership and capabilities, prompting Tehran's ferocious counteroffensive. Gulf states, historically wary of Iranian influence, now face direct threats to their sovereignty and economic lifelines, including oil facilities and international airports. The summons of Iran's envoy signals a unified diplomatic front, potentially paving the way for broader Arab League involvement.

As the virtual summit unfolds around 6:52 p.m. local time, analysts anticipate calls for U.S. restraint and UN mediation to avert a wider war. Passenger advisories remain in effect, with carriers like Etihad and Lufthansa extending cancellations into early March. Saudi officials have not detailed specific damages but affirmed readiness to defend against further aggression.

The developments highlight fragile Gulf-Iran dynamics, strained further by nuclear standoffs and proxy conflicts in Yemen and Syria. With airspace restrictions persisting, the GCC's response could shape international efforts to contain the fallout from Khamenei's death and the ensuing retaliatory spiral. Updates from the meeting are awaited as the world watches for signs of de-escalation.

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