Istanbul is set to host the 51st Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where the focus will likely be on Israel’s actions in Iran and Gaza.. Iranian FM Abbas Araqchi is attending the two-day session
On Saturday, member states of the OIC will gather in Istanbul as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to rise. Additionally, the Arab League’s extraordinary council of ministers will meet in the same city prior to the summit.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will participate in both gatherings, with Israel’s attacks on Iran expected to take center stage.
The theme of this year’s OIC Council session is “The OIC in a Transforming World.” Over 40 foreign ministers from the OIC’s 57 member states are anticipated to attend, bringing the total participation to around 1,000—setting a record for the organization and underscoring the urgency of current events in the region.
The opening remarks will be delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also in attendance. Representatives from various nations, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, will be present.
These meetings aim to promote unity among member states and develop a coordinated approach to the ongoing conflict, with the summit coming at a pivotal time amidst escalating Middle Eastern tensions. The discussions will address Israel’s actions and broader regional security concerns.
Delegates are expected to issue a unified demand for an immediate cease‑fire to prevent a full‑scale regional war.
Turkish President Erdogan stressed that the region “cannot bear another war,” urging collective Muslim efforts for de‑escalation .
Recent Israeli strikes have hit Iranian nuclear and military sites—Israel claims to have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by 2–3 years.
Iran’s missile counter‑attacks have caused hundreds of casualties on both sides, including over 430 deaths in Iran and dozens in Israel .
Israel confirmed the killing of senior Quds Force commander Saeed Izadi; Iran reported multiple IRGC losses.
Erdogan accused Israel of trying to sabotage upcoming Iran–U.S. nuclear talks and warned against inflaming the crisis. He urged Muslim nations to enforce punitive measures under international law and UN resolutions.
