TEHRAN - Iran’s interim foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, has departed from Tehran to Istanbul to attend an urgent meeting of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation.

This emergency session will focus on addressing the escalating military actions by Israel in Gaza.

In a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, it was announced that Bagheri Kani will not only participate in the meeting scheduled for Saturday but will also deliver a keynote address. This gathering is seen as a pivotal moment for Iran to bolster its active diplomacy in support of the Palestinian cause and the ongoing resistance against the Zionist regime.

During the Istanbul meeting, Baghersi Kani is expected to engage in high-level discussions with other foreign ministers. The agenda includes formulating coordinated actions among Islamic countries to halt Israeli aggressions and ensuring the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinians living under siege. This aligns with Iran's broader strategy to unify Islamic nations in response to Israeli atrocities.

The list of notable attendees underscores the international significance of the meeting. Besides Bagheri Kani, the assembly will include Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, and Bangladeshi Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni. Senior officials from Egypt and Nigeria are also expected to be present, highlighting the broad geographical representation within the D-8.

A key outcome of the meeting is expected to be the adoption of a robust joint declaration condemning Israel's military actions in Gaza. This response comes in light of alarming statistics indicating that over the past eight months, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 36,654 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children.

The extraordinary meeting in Istanbul carries significant weight for the D-8 member countries as they strive to present a united front against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Under the leadership of Turkey, this session aims to demonstrate unwavering solidarity and support for the Palestinian cause, especially in the face of relentless Israeli assaults that have continued since October 7 of the previous year.

The D-8 organization, comprising Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, was established on June 15, 1997. It was formed following a proposal by Turkey’s then-Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, who envisioned an economic group composed of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world. Since its inception, the D-8 has sought to enhance economic cooperation among its members while also addressing pressing political and humanitarian issues affecting the Muslim community globally.

As the Istanbul meeting unfolds, the international community will be watching closely to see how the D-8 countries navigate this complex and urgent crisis. The outcomes of this meeting could significantly impact the geopolitical landscape and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, making it a crucial moment for diplomacy and collective action.