Iran Calls For OIC Emergency Meeting Amid Hamas-Israeli Conflict

A general view of the 48th meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 22, 2022
A general view of the 48th meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 22, 2022

Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces escalates.

Following the Hamas invasion of Israel over the weekend, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, stated on Monday that "Tehran has called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss regional developments."

Iran denied involvement in the attacks in spite of a spokesman from Al-Qassem Brigades, the Hamas military wing, thanking Iran for its support on its Telegram channel. The onslaught which began on Saturday morning has resulted in the death of over 700 Israelis and the abduction of dozens of civilians and soldiers including women and children by the Iran-backed proxy. More than 400 Palestinians have also lost their lives in retaliatory airstrikes.

In spite of the close ties of Hamas to its biggest backer, Iran, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that there was so far no evidence implicating Iran in the recent attacks on Israel. High level meetings have seen Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh meet with regime leaders in Tehran and Beirut multiple times in recent weeks.

Seemingly in response to the allegations of Iran's involvement, Kanaani said, "Anyone who threatens the Islamic Republic of Iran should know that any foolish action will be met with a devastating response".

Meanwhile, Hossein Jalali, an Iranian MP, commented on Hamas's operation, dubbed Al Aqsa Storm, stating, "While we cannot physically participate in the conflict with Israel, we lend our support to Hamas." He added, "Our battle against Israel is waged through the resistance forces and their ideology."

Iran's support for Palestinian factions is part of a broader network of militias and armed groups it backs across the Middle East, which extends Tehran's influence into Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza. In 2018, the US Middle East envoy revealed the regime funds its Gaza proxy $100m annually.

The Hamas operation, considered the most significant incursion into Israel in decades which saw hundreds of militants infiltrate by land, sea and air, coincides with US-backed efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for a defense agreement between Washington and Riyadh.