ISTANBUL : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers gathered in Istanbul on Saturday, with representatives from more than 40 member states unanimously condemning Israeli military actions in Gaza and Iran, while calling for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic resolution of conflicts.
In his opening speech, OIC Chairperson Hissein Brahim Taha sharply criticized Israel’s military operations, stating, “Since June 13, the Middle East has been engulfed in renewed violence. We call for an end to hostilities between Iran and Israel and emphasize dialogue as the only path to lasting peace.” He also highlighted the importance of implementing existing OIC resolutions related to Israel.
The summit saw participation from key figures, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar. The gathering also marked Türkiye’s formal assumption of the OIC presidency for the upcoming three years.During the conference, discussions focused on the current tensions in Iran, with Ishaq Dar expected to outline Pakistan’s position on the situation. The agenda also included special deliberations on the Israeli attacks in Gaza and the broader Iran-Israel conflict, with Türkiye’s President scheduled to address the assembly.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a speech emphasizing the unifying power of Islam, noting that Muslims constitute about one-third of the world’s population. He stressed that internal divisions hinder Muslim progress and condemned the violence inflicted on Gaza, while also raising concerns over Israel’s recent attacks on Iran.
Fidan condemned Israel’s aggressive policies, asserting that these actions threaten regional stability. “This issue extends beyond Gaza or Iran; it’s about stopping Israel’s unilateral actions,” he declared. The Turkish minister called for solidarity with both Gaza and Iran and advocated for a two-state solution to Palestine. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for all OIC member states and welcomed the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that resolving the Kashmir dispute is essential for regional peace.
Ahead of the session, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told media that Iran reserves the right to defend itself against aggression. He pointed out that Israel launched an attack on Iran just two days before scheduled peace negotiations on June 15, signaling Israel’s rejection of diplomacy. Araghchi also accused the United States of being directly involved in Israel’s military actions against Iran, warning that such American involvement could escalate regional tensions and pose a threat to global stability.
