Iran's FM Calls For Islamic Emergency Meeting Over Gaza

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has called for an urgent meeting of the Council of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the situation in Gaza.

He made the plea during a phone conversation with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha on Thursday, Iranian state media reported.

The call for the meeting comes amid mounting international apprehension over Iran's backing of militant groups exacerbating tensions in the region.

Iran-backed Hamas launched an invasion of Israel on October 7, resulting in the deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust. The subsequent retaliation by Israel, backed by US support for its right to self-defense, has escalated into a regional proxy conflict.

Iran's proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have joined the fray in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. Despite Tehran's continual denial of involvement in the October 7 attack, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and led to the capture of over 250 hostages taken to Gaza, Iranian officials continue to engage in public meetings with Palestinian militant groups long known to be supported, armed, and trained by Iran.

On Tuesday, Amir-Abdollahian held a meeting with Hamas' political bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh, in Qatar.

The meeting came during a whirlwind tour of the region, which commenced last Friday. During his visit to Doha, where Hamas maintains a significant presence, Amir-Abdollahian held separate discussions with Qatari officials, including his counterpart, and the Emir of Qatar.

The conclusion of his regional tour in Qatar came after engagements with regime-backed militant leaders in Syria, including discussions with President Bashar al-Assad.