Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 4. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev and a group of ambassadors from the Gulf States and Jordan discussed the current situation in the Middle East, Trend reports via the Kazakh MFA.
The Foreign Minister expressed serious concern about the ongoing escalation, including strikes on friendly Arab countries. He emphasized the importance of a swift end to all hostilities, which are causing civilian casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure in the region. In this regard, the Kazakh diplomat thanked the heads of mission for their assistance in evacuating Kazakh citizens and ensuring their safe return home.
The Minister noted that Kazakhstan welcomes the efforts of Gulf leaders to promote peaceful political dialogue, as well as the joint initiative of China and Pakistan aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. He also highlighted Kazakhstan’s readiness to provide a platform for peace negotiations in the city of Turkestan.
In turn, the Arab diplomats noted the importance of supporting international efforts to ensure regional security, including further strengthening contacts and coordination with Astana. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue close cooperation aimed at enhancing political dialogue, expanding comprehensive collaboration, and implementing joint projects.
The ongoing conflict stems from a chronology that, in 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which led to the repeal of the previous six resolutions and the lifting of widespread sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear program.
In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran’s gradual lifting of the restrictions provided for in the plan was not unanimously accepted by other countries. Consequently, on September 28, 2025, UN Security Council resolutions against Iran were reinstated.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s report, published in May 2025, indicated that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium stood at 9,247 kilograms, of which more than 408 kilograms were enriched to 60% or higher.
Although two rounds of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program took place between the U.S. and Iran at different times, the parties failed to reach a concrete agreement, and both rounds of talks ended in conflict. The most recent of these conflicts began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran.
In response, Iran began launching missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in countries across the region. Over time, the conflict expanded significantly and engulfed various countries in the Middle East.
The conflict has placed the region’s energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.
