Iran urges Gulf states to uphold good neighborly relations, prevent use of territory for attacks

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Foreign Ministry said Friday that Gulf Cooperation Council member states should uphold the principle of good neighborly relations and reconsider their positions if their territories are used to launch attacks against Iran. The ministry also called on Gulf countries to prevent third parties from using their lands and facilities against Tehran. The statement expressed Iran's displeasure with what it described as the repetition of the U.S. and Israeli position on Iran's peaceful nuclear program. Tehran urged Gulf states to join efforts aimed at keeping West Asia free of nuclear weapons. The appeal comes as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Bahrain on Thursday, following stops in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, to secure Gulf support for a preliminary understanding reached between Washington and Tehran. No further details of the Iranian statement were immediately available.