The six nations of the GCC have expressed their support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed by Iran and the US, China, Russia, France, the UK and Germany on 14 July that calls for sanctions to be lifted in return for limitations on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme

US Secretary of State John Kerry had talks in Doha on 3 August with the foreign ministers of the six GCC states.

“… the (GCC) Ministers agreed that, once fully implemented, the JCPOA contributes to the region’s long-term security, including by preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a military nuclear capability,” a joint statement  issued after the meeting by the US and the GCC ministers said. “The Ministers called for Iran to strictly honour its obligations under the JCPOA and its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

The statement said that the US “reiterated its commitment to working with the GCC to prevent and deter external threats and aggression. In the event of such aggression or the threat of such aggression, the US stands ready to work with our GCC partners to determine urgently what action may be appropriate, using the means at our collective disposal, including the potential use of military force, for the defense of our GCC partners.”

The statement said the US and the GCC expressed their opposition to Iran’s support for terrorism and destabilising activities in the region. It said that both decides agreed to work together to counter its interference, particularly attempts to undermine the security of and interfere in the domestic affairs of GCC member states, most recently in Bahrain.

The statement said that GCC ministers welcomed the return of the government of Yemen to Aden and called for an end to violence by the forces of the Houthi opposition and former president Saleh. It condemned Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula and ISIS for increasing instability in Yemen.

The statement said that GCC Ministers supported anti-ISIS action by the Iraq government and called for  “capable security forces in the fight against Da’ish (ISIS).” The ministers called for managed political transition in Syria and a just resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict.