The Saudi-dominated coalition, known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has agreed to spend up to $1 trillion on its military, military-related projects, in an attempt to confront Iran’s missile development program and to improve its ties with the Gulf states, according to a confidential report from the Arab League.
The report, released on Friday, said the GCC has agreed on a number of military projects, including $1.1 billion in military equipment for the GCC’s military, including helicopters and armored vehicles, and $300 million for a naval fleet that would include warships.
The Gulf Cooperation Arab states are expected to spend $1 billion on a military construction project in the coming years, according the report.
The GCC has been involved in the Middle East for more than 50 years.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Emirates were the founding members of the GCC, which was created in 1992.
The GCC has a membership of about 200 member states.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries are deeply involved in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Yemen in recent years, including the Saudi-Iranian war in Yemen and the war in Bahrain, which the GCC accuses of supporting terrorism and spreading sectarianism.
Saudi-led efforts to counter Iran’s military and nuclear programs have raised international tensions and fueled regional tensions.
Saudi and other Arab countries accuse Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and for developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States and Europe.
The kingdom has been accused by U.S. President Donald Trump of undermining international efforts to curb Iran’s ballistic missile program, which could be aimed at Iran’s regional rivals.
The United States has accused Iran of supporting and aiding terrorist groups.