TEHRAN – The Arab Foreign Minister has denounced the recent Israeli airstrikes against Iran, urging an immediate end to military escalations and warning of disastrous consequences for regional stability in the event of continued hostility.
Prior to the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Islamic Cooperation Organizations (OIC) starting on June 21, the meeting in Istanbul was convened for an emergency session to address escalating tensions, particularly in light of Israel’s attack on Iran, which began on June 13.
In a final statement issued Friday, the Arab League called “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the United Nations members and a threat to local peace and security.”
Based on the statement, the Minister called on the UN Security Council to take urgent action, emphasizing that continued inaction is at risk of further destabilization in the Middle East (West Asia).
Additionally, the statement linked the current escalation to Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate halt of hostilities, unobstructed humanitarian access, and an end to Israeli violations in the occupied West Bank. The minister warned that Israel’s actions in occupied areas could promote wider conflict and ignite wider regional wars.
Additionally, the Arab Foreign Minister supported new diplomatic efforts to encourage the resumption of talks on Iran’s nuclear program and to alleviate tensions. They emphasized that all countries in the region should participate in the treaty on the shortage of nuclear weapons (NPT) and refrain from targeting nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protection.
The statement further condemns violations of local airspace by any party and emphasizes the need to respect the sovereignty of all countries.
Reaffirming its commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, the Minister repeatedly supported the two states’ solutions and called for international action to establish an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in exchange for Israel’s perception.
The emergency meeting reflects growing Arab concerns about the risk of growing regional conflict, with leaders claiming diplomacy over conflict.
morning