Iran calls for extraordinary meeting of OIC to address catastrophic situation in Gaza

Seyed Abbas Araghchi Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a letter addressed to Hissein Brahim Taha Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as well as to Hakan Fidan and Faisal bin Farhan Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Saudi Arabia respectively called for the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to examine the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza coordinate the provision of immediate assistance and assess the legal and political dimensions of the Zionist regime’s intent to permanently occupy Gaza.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a letter addressed to Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as to Hakan Fidan and Faisal bin Farhan, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Saudi Arabia respectively, called for the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to examine the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, coordinate the provision of immediate assistance, and assess the legal and political dimensions of the Zionist regime’s intent to permanently occupy Gaza. 

 

The full text of the letter by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful 

August 6, 2025 

H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation 

Excellency, 

With the utmost concern, and driven by a profound moral and political sense of urgency, I write to you once again regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip—an ordeal that has now become one of the most dire crises confronting the Islamic Ummah and the international community at large. The conditions in Gaza have surpassed the bounds of human endurance. What is unfolding is not merely a humanitarian crisis, but the systematic annihilation of a besieged civilian population. The scale and severity of the atrocities committed demand urgent and coordinated action. 

The latest figures and reports from all credible humanitarian organizations and media sources indicate that the civilian population of Gaza is facing a situation that can only be described by one term: genocide. 

Equally alarming is the mounting body of evidence pointing to the existence of a strategic and unlawful intent on the part of the occupying regime to reoccupy and fully annex Gaza. Statements made by senior officials of the Zionist regime, coupled with military maneuvers and political posturing, reveal a deliberate plan to erase Gaza’s territorial and political identity through permanent control, demographic engineering, and the obliteration of any prospect for Palestinian sovereignty. High-ranking officials of the occupying regime have explicitly stated their intention to “eliminate Gaza as a political entity.” This is not merely a tactical shift—it constitutes a strategic blueprint for extinguishing Palestinian sovereignty through permanent territorial occupation, forced population displacement, and demographic reconfiguration. 

In light of these developments, and pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and prior practice regarding the convening of extraordinary meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers, I hereby formally request that an extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers be convened at the earliest possible date at the Organization’s General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah. 

The objective of this meeting shall be to examine the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza; to coordinate the provision of immediate assistance; to evaluate the legal and political dimensions of the Zionist regime’s intention to permanently occupy Gaza; to adopt a unified position and implementable measures—including diplomatic, legal, and economic tools—to halt the aggression and ensure accountability; and to reaffirm the centrality of the Palestinian question to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, sovereignty, and return. This meeting must serve as the starting point for coordinated and actionable efforts to halt the aggression and restore justice.07:20

I respectfully urge Your Excellency to initiate the necessary consultations with Member States and take the requisite procedural steps to arrange this meeting without delay, in accordance with the Organization’s internal frameworks and in light of the urgency of the matter. 

 

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and unwavering commitment to our shared principles. 

With deepest respect,

Seyed Abbas Araghchi

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Islamic Republic of Iran 

Cc:

H.E. Mr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation 

H.E. Mr. Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia