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.
