Iranian Foreign Minister Bagheri Kani arrived in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on August 7 to attend a special meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened at Iran’s request following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Mr. Bagheri Kani met and discussed with OIC Secretary General Hussein Ibrahim Taha on the sidelines of the meeting. During the meeting, Mr. Kani condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh, describing it as a violation not only of Iran’s national security and sovereignty but also of international laws and regulations.
He stressed that Israel’s actions show that it wants to fan the flames of conflict from Gaza to the entire region to achieve its dark goals.
The Iranian Foreign Minister appreciated the OIC’s prompt condemnation of the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. He noted that while Muslim countries have unanimously condemned the terrorist act, the United States and some European countries have not only failed to condemn it but have continued to support Israel, which shows their lack of concern for regional stability and their intention to perpetuate unrest. He also stressed the importance of unity among Muslim countries to deal with Israel.
Earlier, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a statement after a special meeting of its 57 members on the assassination of the Hamas political leader, writing that the IOC “holds Israel, the illegal occupying power, fully responsible for this heinous attack.” The IOC called the attack a “grave violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.
Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, head of the OIC, said the assassination of Haniyeh and the ongoing war in Gaza could lead to a regional conflict.
“The invasion and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the assassination of a political leader on its territory is an act that cannot be considered in isolation,” Tangara said.
“This heinous act only adds to existing tensions, potentially leading to a broader conflict that could involve the entire region.”
Iran and Palestine have called for the OIC meeting in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah. The host country also said that Haniyeh’s assassination was a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Khereiji said his country opposed “any violation of the sovereignty of nations or interference in the internal affairs of any country”.
Iran has promised to retaliate, threatening “severe punishment” against Israel. However, the US and other Western nations have called for a de-escalation.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on August 7 that some OIC members agreed with Washington that the escalation would only exacerbate ongoing crises in the region.
“We hope that at this OIC meeting what we have been trying to do over the past week will happen, which is that all parties that have relations with Iran will emphasize to Iran – in the same way that we have emphasized to the Israeli government – that they should not take any steps to escalate the conflict,” Miller said.
He also said regional escalation could jeopardize the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza.