OIC Condemns Israeli Strikes, Calls for Dialogue on India-Pakistan Indus Waters Treaty in Istanbul Declaration

The OIC session also took place amidst the announcement by US President Donald Trump that American B-2 stealth bombers had successfully struck Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

RMN News Political Desk
June 23, 2025

Istanbul, Türkiye – The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concluded its 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Sunday (June 22), adopting the Istanbul Declaration which strongly condemned recent Israeli strikes on Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, while also urging adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan. The OIC, recognized as the “voice of the Muslim world” by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, adopted 156 resolutions reflecting the shared concerns of its member states.

The declaration described the Israeli attacks as “blatant violations of international law and national sovereignty” and called on the international community to take immediate action to halt this aggression and hold Israel accountable. Minister Fidan emphasized that Israel’s aggressive policies “pose a threat to all of us,” urging unity among Muslim nations.

To address these escalating tensions, the OIC announced the formation of an open-ended Ministerial Contact Group. This group will liaise with regional and international actors to de-escalate tensions, stop further strikes on Iran, and work towards a peaceful resolution, with leaders warning that failure to act could have serious consequences for regional stability and potentially lead to tensions spilling over into the wider Middle East.

Reiterating its founding mission established in 1969 after the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque, the OIC also reaffirmed its steadfast support for Palestinian rights. The Istanbul Declaration condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank as “genocide and systemic oppression,” calling for a permanent ceasefire and the full implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza.

Beyond the Middle East, the Istanbul Declaration also raised significant concerns over South Asia, condemning recent military strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The OIC urged all sides to exercise restraint and underscored the critical need to respect existing treaties, specifically highlighting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The declaration emphasized the importance of upholding bilateral agreements and pursuing broad-based dialogue to peacefully resolve disputes, expressing deep concern over the recent military escalation in the region and calling on all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize South Asia.

The OIC session also took place amidst the announcement by US President Donald Trump that American B-2 stealth bombers had successfully struck Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In response, Iran called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to hold the United States accountable. Delegates in Istanbul denounced these US strikes as “yet more evidence that unchecked Western actions could destabilise the region further and increase the risk of conflict”.

In conclusion, with the formation of new contact groups and a strong collective message, the OIC and its member states have vowed to stand together in defense of their shared interests and global peace. Minister Fidan concluded the session by calling on Muslim nations to work together despite their differences, “so that all our prayers will rise as one voice against oppression”.