Gulf Cooperation Council

Gulf Arab countries on Sept. 6 asked Netflix to remove "offensive content" on the streaming service, apparently targeting programs that show people who are gay and lesbian.

A joint statement issued on behalf of a committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council made the request, saying the unspecified programs "contradict Islamic and societal values and principles."

Tehran on Sunday accused Washington of provoking tensions in the Middle East, a day after US President Joe Biden ended a tour to Iran's rival Saudi Arabia and arch-foe Israel.

Washington "has once again resorted to the failed policy of Iran-phobia, trying to create tensions and crises in the region," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement.

President Joe Biden on July 16 will lay out his strategy for the Middle East as he closes out of the final leg of a four-day trip meant to bolster U.S. positioning and knit the region together against Iran.

President Joe Biden is leaning towards making a visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip that would likely bring him face-to-face with the Saudi crown prince he once shunned as a killer.

 As the world rushed to condemn the Russian invasion of its smaller neighbor, the wealthy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have largely kept quiet. Middle East experts say their reticence is understandable given what's at play - energy, money and security.

Turkey on Aug. 29 expressed "deep sorrow" for a ballistic missile that struck southern Yemen, killing at least 40 soldiers and injuring dozens.

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Turkey extends its condolences to the "friendly people and Government of Yemen and to the families of those who lost their lives" while wishing the injured a speedy recovery, said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

Half a year after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain established diplomatic relations with Israel, discreet Jewish communities in the Gulf Arab states that once lived in the shadow of the Arab-Israeli conflict are adopting a more public profile.

Turkey has welcomed normalization efforts among Gulf countries, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Feb. 10, noting that Turkey supports the unity, prosperity and security of the Gulf region.

Turkey on Jan. 5 welcomed the outcome of the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Saudi Arabia, which saw reconciliation between Gulf states.

Saudi Arabia will reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar, U.S. and Kuwaiti officials said on Jan. 4, a major step towards ending a diplomatic rift that has seen Riyadh lead an alliance isolating Doha.