Israel-Iran Tensions
ANKARA: In response to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced on Sunday its decision to establish a ministerial contact group aimed at supporting de-escalation efforts following a wave of U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The announcement was made in a joint declaration issued after a high-level meeting of foreign ministers from the OIC’s 57 member states, held in Istanbul.
The group expressed grave concern over the growing regional instability and unanimously condemned what it described as “Israeli aggression against Iran.” The declaration underscored the urgent need to halt Israeli attacks, warning that the situation posed a severe threat to regional and global security.
While the joint statement focused primarily on Israel, a separate 13-point resolution adopted by the ministers explicitly condemned both Israel and the United States for launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The resolution expressed “full solidarity with Tehran” and described the attacks as a “barbaric violation” of international law and the UN Charter.
The OIC’s resolution called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to issue an unequivocal condemnation of the strikes and to report the matter to the United Nations Security Council.
It also criticized the global community’s muted response and urged stronger deterrent measures to hold Israel accountable for what it termed “crimes committed against a sovereign member state.”
The group renewed its longstanding demand that Israel join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) without delay and submit all of its nuclear sites to full IAEA inspection and safeguards. Israel, which has never confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons, is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East.
The OIC also reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defence under international law, supporting Tehran’s position that it can take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty, territory, and citizens. “Member states reaffirm the Islamic Republic of Iran’s inherent right to defend its national sovereignty and prevent any recurrence of such acts of aggression,” the declaration stated.
The ministerial contact group, which will soon be operational, is tasked with maintaining regular engagement with international and regional actors to facilitate dialogue and ease tensions.
The initiative reflects the OIC’s intent to play a more proactive diplomatic role in the crisis and to push for a peaceful resolution through multilateral engagement.
This move comes amid deepening fears that the Israel-Iran conflict could escalate further, especially after the U.S. airstrikes that reportedly damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities. The OIC’s strong collective stance signals a rare moment of unity among Muslim-majority countries in confronting what they view as a serious violation of international norms and regional stability.
