Emergency Meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Istanbul at Iraq’s Invitation Condemns Israeli Aggression on Iran and Calls for Calm and Dialogue
On Friday, June 20, 2025, an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level was held in Istanbul, Turkey, at the request of the Republic of Iraq. The meeting addressed the repercussions of Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its impact on regional security and stability.
The meeting was chaired by Jordanian Foreign Minister Mr. Ayman Safadi, who currently serves as the chair of the extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level. This session took place ahead of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, scheduled for Saturday.
Following the intervention of the head of Iraq’s delegation Minister Fuad Hussein, contributions from member states, and the Secretary-General’s remarks, the Council issued a statement adopting a series of key measures and positions, chief among them is condemning the Israeli aggression against Iran, describing it as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a United Nations member state and a threat to regional peace and security.
The Council stressed the urgent need to halt this aggression and intensify regional and international efforts to reduce tensions, aiming for a ceasefire and comprehensive calm. In addition they called for a return to negotiations to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue and supported all efforts aimed at achieving de-escalation.
The Council urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities in stopping the Israeli aggression, which constitutes a breach of international law and a threat to regional security and stability, the Council reaffirmed that the only solution to the crises in the region lies in diplomacy and dialogue based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter, affirming that the current crisis cannot be resolved through military means and that comprehensive calm in the region requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, foremost among them is the cessation of ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the immediate, adequate, and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid through relevant UN agencies.
The Council also condemned Israel’s illegal actions in the occupied West Bank, warning against the Israeli policies that push the region toward further conflict and tension, which require effective international action to stop these aggressive policies.
The Council reaffirmed the necessity of respecting freedom of navigation in international waterways and the principles of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force in international relations. As well they called for resolving disputes peacefully, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and rejecting any attempts to undermine their security and stability.
The Council also demanded respect for the sovereignty of countries of the region and condemned any violations of their airspace, stressing the importance of refraining from targeting nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in compliance with the Agency’s resolutions and related UN Security Council resolutions. The Council warned of the risks posed by nuclear emissions and leaks in the region, along with their devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences.