OIC Holds Emergency Session in Istanbul Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

(MENAFN) In response to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold a special session Saturday evening, following a request from Tehran, according to diplomatic sources. The meeting, which will take place behind closed doors, is part of the broader 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers being hosted in Istanbul.

Sources from Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the emergency session will involve all OIC member states and is set against the backdrop of intensifying conflict involving both Israel and Iran.

The main conference, themed “The OIC in a Transforming World,” has brought global focus back to Istanbul as Türkiye assumes a central diplomatic role. Known for its foundational involvement in the OIC, Türkiye has long supported numerous initiatives under the organization’s umbrella and hosted several pivotal summits.

This year’s gathering is on track to be one of the largest in the OIC’s history, with attendance projected to reach approximately 1,000 participants. That figure includes an unprecedented level of official representation: 43 foreign ministers and five deputy ministers are leading national delegations.

Beyond OIC member states, the summit also features significant engagement from nearly 30 international organizations. High-level representatives from the United Nations, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Developing Eight (D-8), Economic Cooperation Organization, Organization of Turkic States, International Organization for Migration, and World Trade Organization are all present.

The extraordinary turnout underscores the urgency and global relevance of the discussions, particularly amid the ongoing violence and shifting power dynamics in the Middle East.

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