Arab and Muslim nations condemn Israeli strike on Iran, calling de-escalation

Twenty-one Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement on June 16, condemning Israel's airstrikes on Iran and calling for de-escalation, nuclear disarmament, and respect for international law.

The Egyptian-initiated statement followed contacts between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and his counterparts from different countries, according to Egypt's Middle East News Agency.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Turkiye, Chad, Algeria, the Comoros, the UAE, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, and Mauritania, emphasized the need to stop Israel's hostilities against Iran amid growing regional tensions.

They also called for the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the principles of good neighborliness, urging all parties to settle their disputes by peaceful means.

The ministers underscored the importance of de-escalation efforts that would lead to a cease-fire and a comprehensive truce, warning about the consequences of rapidly escalating tensions in the region and urged the importance of creating a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The statement also called on all countries in the region to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which entered into force in 1970, to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, and promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The ministers also rejected and denounced Israel's attacks against Iran on June 13 and any moves that violate international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. They emphasized the importance of respecting the freedom of navigation in international waterways and relevant rules of international law.

The joint statement also warned against targeting nuclear facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards, and urged all those concerned to return to the table of negotiations as soon as possible.

The ministers also stressed that the ongoing crisis cannot be resolved by military means.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei urged the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to condemn Israel's aggression.

"This is a blatant aggression. Full stop. The world needs your office to condemn it 'unequivocally' - no ambiguity, no justification, no letting the aggressor hide behind 'twisted concepts'," said Baqaei in a post on X.

"Your mandate demands it," he added.