TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister on Tuesday said Muslim countries should take more decisive and concrete steps to pressure Israel to cease its genocidal attacks on Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hossein Amir Abdollahian was speaking during an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“As we witness the inaction of the United Nations Security Council against Israeli crimes, it becomes urgent and necessary for Islamic countries to find practical solutions and to take more serious actions in support of the people of Palestine,” the top diplomat explained while warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is turning into an unprecedented disaster. 

“Undoubtedly, any economic cooperation with this regime, and financial, military, or political assistance to it, amounts to practical cooperation and assistance in the crimes of the Zionists and facilitating the continuation of their heinous acts, including the genocide of Palestinians”.

Several Islamic countries have been accused of having lackluster and insufficient responses to Israeli crimes in Gaza. 

Reports show that Turkey, despite President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an’s strong words against the Israeli regime, has increased its trade with Israel since October 7th. An unidentified member of Turkey’s Exporters Union has told Turkish media that Ankara is currently providing 50% of food consumed in the occupied territories. 

Furthermore, some Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE have formed a land corridor to help the regime bypass the Yemeni blockade in the Red Sea, according to Israeli reports. 

During his speech, Amir Abdollahian called on Islamic nations to cease all ties with Israel and recall their envoys from the occupied territories. 

Tehran “anticipating” effective measures from Riyadh

During his short stay in Saudi Arabia, Amir Abdollahian also engaged in discussions with officials from other participating countries.

Amir Abdollahian participated in a bilateral meeting with Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi minister of foreign affairs. He expressed satisfaction with the meeting, extending gratitude to Saudi Arabia for accepting Iran's proposal to host a special session on Palestine at OIC headquarters, and stressing the need for a unified and robust position to support Palestine and put an end to the war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Emphasizing the shared stance of Iran and Saudi Arabia on supporting Palestine, Amir Abdollahian anticipated effective measures during the meeting to support Palestine and stop the genocide of Palestinians.

He also expressed contentment with the collaborative efforts between the two countries, expressing readiness to advance initiatives by proposing common areas of cooperation and priorities.

Amir Abdollahian identified strengthening economic and trade relations, as well as facilitating commercial activities, as crucial priorities, suggesting alignment with the growing trend of political relations to enhance this aspect of bilateral cooperation.

The Saudi minister of foreign affairs also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, underlining the significance of the Jeddah meeting in ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Palestine, considering the challenging situation and dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He highlighted the importance of collective efforts by Islamic countries within the OIC and international forums, including the United Nations.

Faisal bin Farhan expressed contentment with the ongoing progress in bilateral relations and affirmed Saudi Arabia's willingness to take new steps to advance these relations.

Both sides discussed key areas of interest in bilateral relations and reached agreements on joint efforts to achieve common goals and objectives. Mutual greetings were conveyed to the respective heads of the two countries.

OIC Secretary-General thanks Iran for brave stance on Palestinians’ plight

Amir Abdollahian also met and discussed matters with Hissein Brahim Taha, the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Expressing deep concern over the severe humanitarian situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, the top Iranian diplomat thanked the secretary-general for promptly responding to requests from Iran and other Islamic countries to convene an extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

He underscored the centrality of the Palestinian issue to the Muslim world, emphasizing the urgent need for more robust and effective efforts by the OIC to promptly halt the war crimes against the oppressed Palestinian people, especially the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Highlighting the significance of the ongoing Gaza meeting amid the continuing humanitarian crisis, Amir Abdollahian stressed the necessity for Islamic countries to convey a strong and deterrent message to the Zionist regime and its supporters by taking decisive actions to end Israel’s merciless genocide.

Iran’s minister of foreign affairs also expressed contentment with the ongoing interaction and consultations between Iran and the secretariat of the OIC, particularly the joint contacts and consultations. He welcomed the continuation of these consultations and cooperation, recognizing their positive outcomes and effects.

Hissein Brahim Taha reciprocated appreciation for the strong stance of Iran in supporting Palestine and acknowledged the initiative and participation of the country's minister of foreign affairs in this meeting. 

He elaborated on some efforts and actions of the OIC concerning the developments in Palestine and expressed readiness to diligently follow up on the decisions of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people.