Iran Urges Urgent OIC Summit to Address ‘Threatening’ Gaza Crisis
Iran has strongly condemned the “dangerous” joint plot by the U.S. and Israel aimed at forcibly relocating the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. In response, Iran is urging an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss this critical issue.
During a phone conversation on Saturday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed to OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha the urgent need for the Islamic Ummah (community) to present a united front against this U.S.-Israeli initiative. He emphasized the responsibility of Islamic nations to uphold the legitimate rights of the oppressed Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and a secure life in their homeland.
Araghchi stated, “The scheme to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza is not only a big crime that equals genocide, but also has dangerous ramifications for the stability and security of the region and the world.”
He further urged, “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation must take a decisive and effective decision as soon as possible by holding an extraordinary meeting with the presence of the foreign ministers of the member states to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
Taha echoed this sentiment, condemning the actions against the Palestinian people and labeling the relocation plot as entirely unacceptable. He expressed his support for Iran’s proposal for an extraordinary OIC meeting and committed to consulting with member states regarding this matter.
In addition to his discussions with Taha, Araghchi reached out to foreign ministers from several countries on Sunday evening, including:
- Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of ongoing support for Palestinian rights from all Islamic nations.
- Pakistan: Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar highlighted the OIC’s duty to stand with the oppressed Palestinian people and called for continuing consultations among member states.
- Egypt: Top diplomat Badr Abdelatty rejected the notion of forcing Gazans to leave their land and advocated for extensive dialogue among Islamic nations.
- Tunisia: Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti affirmed that Gaza and the West Bank are essential parts of Palestine, making any attempt to expel their inhabitants unacceptable.
Adding to the tensions, last week, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that the U.S. should “own” the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a tourism hub, which would effectively displace the Palestinian residents of the area. He remarked, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for clearing it out and rebuilding it into ‘the Riviera of the Middle East.’”
Trump further asserted that Palestinians in Gaza “have no alternative” but to leave the coastal territory. His comments ignited a wave of international outrage, even among allies in West Asia. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the White House, declaring that the Palestinian territory is “not for sale.”
