The Middle East faces escalating tensions as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies following Israel’s large-scale airstrike on Iran on June 12, 2025. Iran swiftly retaliated, leading to a rapid escalation that has drawn widespread condemnation from countries around the world.
Several Arab and Islamic nations have denounced Israel’s actions as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty. On June 16, foreign ministers from 21 Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement condemning the attack. The statement called Israel’s actions “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a United Nations member state” and urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene urgently. It emphasized that restarting nuclear negotiations with Iran is crucial to de-escalating the situation.
Regional efforts to mediate the crisis intensified as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman engaged in dialogues with Washington, urging the United States to pressure Israel for a ceasefire and resume negotiations. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi reached out to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 21, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire and a non-military solution to the crisis.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held its 51st Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye, on June 22. The council expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions, stating that the situation poses a severe threat to regional stability and humanitarian conditions. The OIC strongly condemned Israel’s recent actions in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, labeling them as violations of sovereignty and international law. The declaration called on the international community to take “deterrent measures” and hold Israel accountable.
To facilitate de-escalation, the OIC decided to establish a permanent ministerial liaison group to engage with relevant regional and international parties. The group’s goal is to promote dialogue, stop aggression against Iran, and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
China was among the first countries to respond to the crisis. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed opposition to actions violating Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and urged all parties to avoid escalating tensions and expanding the conflict.
Following reports of United States involvement in strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, several nations—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan—voiced support for Iran’s sovereignty and called for restraint. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law and urged a return to negotiations to de-escalate the regional situation.
The escalating conflict underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear issue through diplomatic channels like the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Security Council. Many believe that if restraint had been exercised, a reasonable and peaceful solution could have been achieved. The recent actions have raised concerns about undermining the authority of international institutions and the potential impact on future efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
