Gulf council calls Iran strikes war crimes

Gulf states condemned Iran on Saturday after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes that centered on the Strait of Hormuz, officials said. US Central Command carried out a seventh straight night of strikes targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, and Iran launched attacks on neighbouring Gulf states; damage was reported at a water desalination plant in Kuwait, officials said.

Gulf Cooperation Council statement

The Gulf Cooperation Council said the strikes on civilian sites amounted to "war crimes," calling for urgent measures to protect non-combatants and critical infrastructure. Officials said the council warned that attacks on desalination and other civilian facilities threaten public health and economic stability across the region.

Regional security officials described the clashes as a rapid escalation around a key oil transit route, and they flagged the risk that further incidents could disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If strikes hit energy infrastructure or force re-routing of tankers, markets that depend on Gulf oil exports could face supply-side pressure and higher volatility.

Markets and regional authorities will monitor developments closely over the next 24 hours; attention is likely to focus on any operational notices from maritime agencies and statements from Gulf navies by July 19, 2026. Officials said further public announcements would determine whether the escalation broadens or begins to de-escalate.