Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan strongly condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, calling them “a blatant violation of all international and humanitarian laws,” Al Arabiya English reported.
He made the remarks during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on Monday (August 25). The session was convened at the initiative of Iran and other member states to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Both ministers underscored the need for greater unity among Muslim nations to confront what they described as Israel’s “genocidal war” against Palestinians. They stressed the importance of immediate steps to halt Israeli military operations, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and resist what they termed “dangerous expansionist projects” by Israel, as per Press TV.
Iran-Saudi cooperation
The meeting also reviewed Iran-Saudi bilateral ties, with both sides expressing satisfaction at the recent progress in their relationship. They reaffirmed their commitment to expand cooperation in political, economic, security, and regional affairs, highlighting the significance of dialogue, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs as a foundation for regional stability, according to ABNA.
The two diplomats emphasised that Iran-Saudi cooperation could play a crucial role in stabilising West Asia, especially amid the escalating crisis in Gaza, Press TV reported.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed over 62,680 Palestinians, mostly women and childrenaccording to Palestinian health authorities. The latest OIC session comes as Israel pushes an offensive into Gaza City, sparking fears of worsening humanitarian conditions.
Araghchi, who arrived in Jeddah on Sunday (August 24) with a diplomatic delegation, participated in wider OIC deliberations that sought to coordinate relief efforts and examine the legal and political implications of Israel’s occupation strategy, as per ABNA.
Also Read: AI to drive India’s next wave of technology services growth: Nasscom
