OIC adopts Istanbul Declaration condemning Israeli attacks

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in its newly adopted Istanbul Declaration, condemns what the 57 member states called the "destabilization policies of Israel" in the Middle East region" over its recent attacks on Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

On Iran, they stressed the urgent need to stop Israeli attacks, which they view with "great concern regarding this dangerous escalation, threatening human, economic and environmental situation in the region".

The declaration was adopted after the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Turkiye, which took place from June 21 to June 22.

The declaration also called on the international community to take deterrent measures "to stop this aggression and make Israel accountable for crimes committed" and decided to establish an open-ended Ministerial Contact group, which will be tasked with establishing regular contacts with the relevant regional and international parties, to support de-escalation efforts.

The statement also reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause for the OIC and they reaffirmed the importance of convening the United Nations High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution under the co-chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France.

The event was postponed after Israel carried pre-emptive strikes against Iran on June 13.

The declaration urged the resumption of the work of the working groups established pursuant to the conference; and redoubling efforts to ensure its success, and calling all UN Member States to participate actively in the conference once its new date is announced.

They also denounced the actions of Israel in using "starvation as a method of genocide" by obstructing the entry of humanitarian assistance and preventing UN humanitarian agencies from carrying out their mandates, intending to forcibly displace the Palestinian population.

In a separate statement published on June 22, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed its deep concern over the targeting of nuclear facilities of Iran by the United States.

"The US strikes are a dangerous escalation that could lead to heightened tensions and threaten regional security, peace, and stability," the statement said.

"The General Secretariat – recalling the statement of 13 June 2025, condemning and denouncing the violation of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as international laws and conventions – calls for de-escalation and self-restraint, and resorting to dialogue and returning to negotiations and peaceful means," it added.