57 Muslim Nations to Take on Israel? Erdogan Moves as Iran Attack Hits OIC Agenda

Istanbul (The Uttam Hindu) :  As Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continues and tensions with Iran escalate dangerously, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to convene a high-stakes emergency meeting in Istanbul on Saturday. Foreign ministers from all 57 member states, including Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, will attend the two-day summit hosted by Turkey, with the aim of forging a united front against what many Muslim nations see as growing Israeli aggression in the region.

The summit, seen as one of the most critical in recent years, will open with a keynote address by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who will chair the sessions, has signaled that the primary focus will be the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Focus on Gaza and Palestine

Turkey has made it clear that the Palestinian issue remains at the top of the agenda. Foreign Minister Fidan is expected to reiterate Turkey’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, framing the unresolved Palestinian crisis as the "root of regional instability." The summit is expected to result in a strong collective condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced in recent weeks. More than 1,000 representatives, including international organizations and observer nations, are attending the summit. The gathering comes at a time when the region is witnessing an unprecedented wave of violence and political uncertainty.

Iran Under Attack, Regional Tensions Soar

Adding to the urgency of the summit, Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian targets — including the attack that killed senior Quds Force commander Saeed Izadi — have alarmed the Islamic world. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also attending and is expected to raise concerns over Israel’s expanding military operations, including its alleged strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. A special session of the summit will be devoted to discussing the broader regional implications of Israel’s actions, including military escalation across Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The OIC may issue a warning against the spread of the conflict beyond Gaza, calling for restraint and urging international intervention to prevent a wider war.

Will Pakistan Address Iran’s Situation?

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has outlined his priorities ahead of the summit. In his remarks, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of Palestinian human rights. He also mentioned regional peace and issued an indirect appeal to India for de-escalation in South Asia. However, Dar remained silent on the issue of Israeli strikes inside Iran — a surprising omission given the geographic and geopolitical proximity of Iran to Pakistan. Analysts suggest this may be a diplomatic balancing act by Islamabad, which shares strong ties with both Tehran and Riyadh, while also facing its own domestic and economic challenges.

A Defining Moment for Muslim Unity

As the Middle East teeters on the edge of broader conflict, the Istanbul summit is being viewed as a critical test of Islamic unity and diplomacy. Whether the OIC can move beyond symbolic resolutions to take concrete steps toward de-escalation and justice remains to be seen.