Arab and Muslim Nations Condemn Israeli Airstrikes, Call for De-escalation

A photograph captured on June 16, 2025, depicts missile wreckage in Safed, northern Israel.

On the same day, a collective statement was released by twenty-one Arab and Muslim nations. The statement condemned Israel's airstrikes on Iran and advocated for de-escalation, nuclear disarmament, and adherence to international law.

The statement originated from Egypt, following discussions between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and his counterparts from various countries. 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 were signatories. They highlighted the necessity of halting Israeli actions against Iran amidst rising regional tensions.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and the principles of good neighborliness. They urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful methods. The statement further stressed the significance of de-escalation efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a comprehensive truce, warning of the potential consequences of escalating tensions in the region. They also called for the establishment of a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The joint statement also urged all regional countries to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which came into effect in 1970. This was to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology and to promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Furthermore, the ministers rejected and condemned Israel's attacks on Iran on June 13, as well as any actions that violated international law and the principles of the UN Charter. They emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of navigation in international waterways and adhering to relevant international laws.

The statement also cautioned against targeting nuclear facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards and urged all parties involved to resume negotiations promptly. The ministers reiterated that the ongoing crisis could not be resolved through military means.

In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to condemn Israel's actions. Baqaei described the attacks as "blatant aggression" and urged the office to condemn it "unequivocally.