In view of growing military tensions in the Middle East, Morocco demonstratively sided with the Gulf states at an emergency meeting of the Arab League and reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the monarchies in the Persian Gulf.

Rabat / Cairo – Morocco repeatedly pledged its support for the Gulf states at an extraordinary meeting of the Arab League and warned of further military escalation in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said during the deliberations that the security of the Gulf monarchies was “inextricably linked to the security of Morocco.”

The emergency meeting of foreign ministers took place on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in the form of a video conference. It addressed the recent military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran and the Iranian missile and drone attacks on several states in the region, particularly those hosting US military bases.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned the attacks in an official statement and spoke of a threat to the stability of the entire region. At the same time, the organization reiterated its support for the affected states, especially Saudi Arabia.

Rabat highlights strategic partnership with Gulf monarchies

According to the Moroccan state news agency MAP, Foreign Minister Bourita referred to a fundamental foreign policy line of the North African kingdom during the deliberations: King Mohammed VI. For years, the security of the Gulf states has been closely linked to Morocco’s national interests.

This position dates back to the 2016 Morocco-GCC summit, where the monarch particularly highlighted the strategic partnership between Rabat and the Gulf states.

Morocco condemned the recent attacks on countries in the region and at the same time called for increased coordination within the Arab world.

Egypt proposes joint Arab military force

During the deliberations, Egypt again floated the idea of ​​a common Arab defense structure. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for the formation of a joint Arab force that could respond to regional security threats.

As the Egypt Today news platform reported, Abdelatty said such a structure could help strengthen the collective security of Arab states and expand their crisis response capacity.

The concept of a common Arab defense structure has been discussed for years. In security policy analyses, it is sometimes described with the term of a possible “Arab NATO”, even if a formal alliance does not yet exist.

Different positions in the Maghreb

However, there are different foreign policy approaches to security policy issues within the Maghreb states.

Morocco has maintained close political and economic relations with the Gulf monarchies for years and often openly supports their security policy positions. At the same time, there have been no diplomatic relations with Tehran for many years. For years, Morocco has accused Iran of maintaining contacts with the Polisario Front through the Lebanese Hezbollah. Tehran rejects these allegations.

Algeria, on the other hand, has traditionally pursued a more non-aligned foreign policy line and is cautious about military alliance projects within the Arab League. Algiers regularly advocates for diplomatic solutions and de-escalation in regional conflicts.

At the same time, Algiers maintains good relations with Iran and has a great interest in joining the BRICS states, to which Iran already belongs. Algeria has been trying to become a member of the BRICS group of countries for several years, but has not yet been admitted.

Tunisia, under President Kais Saied, is also trying to adopt a cautious foreign policy positioning and avoid forming clear blocs in regional conflicts. At the same time, Tunis maintains close political and economic relations with Algiers, which they do not want to jeopardize.

Tensions within the Arab League recently became visible when Algeria and Tunisia stayed away from an Arab meeting where a pre-developed Gaza plan was to be discussed, as the news platform The New Arab reported.

Concern about economic consequences

In addition to security policy issues, several participants in the deliberations also referred to the possible economic effects of further escalation in the Middle East.

The focus is particularly on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important shipping routes for global energy trade. Experts estimate that 20% of the world’s crude oil has to be transported through this strait. According to many observers, an increase in tensions in the region could have a significant impact on international energy markets, which is already reflected in rising crude oil prices on international markets.

In this context, Morocco called for greater coordination within the Arab states and at the same time emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to contain the current crisis.

Morocco – Clear condemnation after Iranian strikes against US bases in the region