Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Identify the original founding member states. Formed in 1981 as a regional political and economic bloc in the Arabian Gulf. Choose the correct group of founding countries.

What is being asked?
The question asks which countries originally formed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1981.

Given data

• Topic: International organizations
• Keyword: GCC founding members
• Year: 1981 (formation)

Concept/Approach
The GCC was established by six Arab monarchies on the Arabian Peninsula to coordinate economic, security, and political policies.

Step-by-step reasoning
1) The Charter of the GCC was signed in May 1981.2) Signatories: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.3) Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan were not founding members.

Verification/Alternative
All authoritative references list exactly six founders, the same six listed above.

Common pitfalls

• Including Iran or Iraq (not members).
• Including Yemen or Jordan (not founding members).

Final Answer
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates