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OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
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OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat

The preparatory ministerial meeting for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit will begin Sunday in Riyadh.

Convened by Saudi Arabia, the summit aims to address the ongoing Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories, as well as regional developments and coordination among member states.

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the summit underscores Saudi Arabia’s and other member states' strong commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.

The OIC chief said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, formed at the last summit, has made progress internationally by pushing for wider recognition of Palestine and securing UN resolutions to condemn and stop Israeli aggression.

Taha warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict, citing Israel's escalating actions and increased military strikes on Lebanon and other areas.

He highlighted the strategic importance of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s and member states’ unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

Taha added that the summit highlights the need for joint Islamic action to strengthen unity and solidarity, enabling member states to speak with one voice globally.

This unified stance, he said, seeks to push the international community to stop Israeli aggression, deliver aid to Gaza, hold Israel accountable, and support a two-state solution.

Taha said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, established at the previous Riyadh summit, has successfully expanded international recognition of Palestine, with ongoing efforts to rally support to end Israeli aggression.

“The organization is actively pursuing political, legal, humanitarian, and media initiatives to carry out the summit's resolution on Israeli aggression against Palestinians, including coordinating member states' positions and actions,” he explained.

Taha added that the committee’s diplomatic efforts have pushed for greater recognition of Palestine and pressured the UN to adopt resolutions condemning Israeli actions and calling for an end to hostilities.

The Secretary-General stressed that diplomatic efforts remain focused on ending Israeli aggression, supporting Palestine’s full UN membership, and advancing a two-state solution.

On the humanitarian side, member states have provided aid to Gaza, supported UNRWA, and assisted the Palestinian government to help alleviate Palestinian suffering.

The Secretary-General of the OIC said the organization is actively pursuing legal action at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to defend Palestinian rights, hold Israel accountable for its crimes, and push for an end to Israeli aggression and its illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

He added that the legal observatory, set up after the previous summit, is documenting Israeli crimes to support future cases against Israel in international courts.

Taha also noted that the organization is working on media efforts to expose Israeli violations through its media observatory, which tracks Israeli crimes against Palestinians and was established as part of the previous Riyadh summit’s decisions.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.