Key Muslim states condemn Israel

Amid growing regional instability, 20 Muslim countries including key regional stakeholders such as Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Egypt issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the recent Israeli military strikes on Iran and proposed a nuclear free Middle East.

The joint communiqué, released by Foreign office here, termed the Israeli attacks — launched on June 13 — "a violation of international law" and a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran. The statement came against the backdrop of spiraling tensions following Israel's sustained military actions targeting Iranian facilities and assets, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

The joint statement categorically rejected and condemned Israel's recent attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 13th while emphasizing the necessity of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, adhering to the principles of good neighbourliness, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

"The imperative need to halt Israeli hostilities against Iran, which come during a time of increasing tension in the Middle East, and to work towards de-escalation, to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and restoration of calm, while expressing great concern regarding this dangerous escalation, which threatens to have serious consequences on the peace and stability of the entire region," according to the joint communiqué.

The key highlight of the joint statement was the urgent necessity of establishing a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which shall apply to all States in the region without exception in line with relevant international resolutions, as well as the urgent need for all countries of the Middle East to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Israel, though never publicly has denied or acknowledged, does have nuclear weapons and is not signatory to the NPT.

The ministers expressed "grave concern" over what they called a "dangerous escalation" that risks destabilizing the entire Middle East and called for an immediate halt to Israeli hostilities. They urged all parties to work toward de-escalation, a comprehensive ceasefire, and the restoration of regional calm.

In a strongly worded caution, the statement emphasized the importance of refraining from attacks on nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, warning that such acts not only breach international law but also violate the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

The foreign ministers called for a "swift return to negotiations" to resolve issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program, describing diplomacy and dialogue as the only viable pathway to peace.

The statement also underscored the importance of preserving freedom of navigation in international waterways, amid rising fears that any military spillover could disrupt vital trade routes in the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful resolution, the ministers concluded: "Military means cannot bring about a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis."

The joint declaration signals growing frustration in the Muslim and regional bloc over Israel's aggressive posture, and is likely to increase pressure on the international community to intervene diplomatically before the conflict engulfs the broader Middle East.