The UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU) voted on Friday to condemn, monitor and report on Iranian attacks on telecommunications infrastructure in four Middle Eastern countries.

The Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan pushed for the resolution after Iran retaliated against regional infrastructure following US and Israeli strikes on 28 February. The ITU council adopted the draft “by consensus.”

What did the ITU decide about Iranian attacks on Middle East telecoms?

The ITU council tasked its secretariat with monitoring, assessing and reporting on disruptions to civilian telecommunications and ICT infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan.

The resolution also covers the broader implications for regional and global connectivity. The agency said it remains committed to supporting connectivity and ensuring infrastructure resilience everywhere.

Which countries brought the resolution to the ITU?

The six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, together with Jordan, submitted the draft resolution to the ITU council, the agency’s governing body.

The resolution focused specifically on the impact on civilian telecommunications and ICT infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan. The ITU council is currently meeting in Geneva until 8 May.

The ITU spokeswoman confirmed the council adopted the resolution by consensus. She said the secretariat had been tasked with monitoring and assessing the specific impacts of disruptions in the targeted countries. The agency also cited the broader implications for regional and global connectivity as part of its mandate.

What happened to Iran’s own proposal at the ITU?

Iran submitted a separate proposal to the same ITU council meeting, seeking support for reconstructing its broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, which it described as severely damaged by acts of aggression.

No decision was reached on the Iranian proposal due to a lack of consensus among council members, according to a diplomatic source. The two submissions reflect the competing positions of the parties at the Geneva meeting.

What is the ITU and why does it matter here?

The ITU is a Geneva-based UN agency founded in 1865 to manage international telegraph networks. It has since expanded its remit to cover telephones, radio, television, satellites, mobile phones and the internet.

It plays a central role in governing radio frequencies, satellite coordination and 5G standards, making it a key forum for disputes over communications infrastructure.