Twenty-one Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement on Monday condemning Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and calling for regional de-escalation, nuclear disarmament ‘without selectivity’ and respect for international law, according to Egypt’s official news agency MENA .
The statement was the result of an initiative by Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty following consultations with his counterparts across the region.
The initiative includes Turkiye, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, Gambia, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Egypt and Mauritania.
The foreign ministers condemned Israel’s attacks on Iranian territory, calling them violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The joint statement emphasised the need to respect national sovereignty, territorial integrity and principles of good neighbourliness and called for peaceful dispute resolution.
The ministers also expressed ‘deep concern’ over the dangerous escalation, warning it could have serious consequences for regional security and stability.
They called for an immediate halt to Israeli hostilities against Iran and for comprehensive de-escalation efforts leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since then.
Iran said at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.
