ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Twenty Arab and Islamic countries, including Iraq, on Tuesday condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran, warning of serious repercussions for regional security. They also urged both Washington and Tehran to resume nuclear negotiations, which have been suspended since hostilities escalated on Friday.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates affirmed their “rejection and condemnation of the Israeli attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran” since Friday, as well as any “Israeli action that violates international law and the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.”
The ministers expressed “deep concern over the dangerous escalation,” warning it could have “serious consequences for the security and stability of the entire region.” They called for an immediate halt to Israeli hostilities and stressed the importance of working toward “de-escalation, a ceasefire, and comprehensive calm.”
Israel launched a large-scale aerial assault on Iran on Friday, killing several top military commanders and nuclear scientists. The strikes targeted three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. In retaliation, Iran fired waves of missiles and drones at Israeli territory, hitting several strategic targets.
In their joint statement, the foreign ministers warned against targeting “nuclear facilities protected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” stating that such actions “constitute a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions of 1949.”
They underscored the urgent need for the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table, calling it the “only viable path” to a sustainable agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
“The only way to resolve crises in the region is through diplomacy and dialogue,” the ministers stressed, adding that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran “cannot be resolved through military means.”
The Israeli military action came just two days ahead of the sixth session of talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Sunday. The two sides have been engaged in Oman-mediated, indirect nuclear negotiations since April 12.
However, Iran canceled its participation in the sixth round, calling the talks “meaningless” in light of continued Israeli aggression. Despite this, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that “an end to Israel’s aggression would pave the way for renewed diplomatic engagement” with Washington.
US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he is looking for a “real end, not a ceasefire” to the conflict between Israel and Iran, emphasizing that he does not want a temporary solution.
A day earlier, he stated “we will have peace, soon, between Israel and Iran,” citing “many calls and meetings now taking place.”
