Saudi Arabia, allies denounce escalation in Middle East, call for ceasefire

Twenty Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, have jointly condemned the recent Israeli military attacks on Iran, warning that the escalation poses a serious threat to regional security and stability.

In a unified statement released by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of the signatory states called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to exercise restraint. The countries that endorsed the statement include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Pakistan, Bahrain, Turkey, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, among others.

The ministers denounced the Israeli strikes launched at dawn on June 13, citing violations of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. They stressed the need to uphold state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Highlighting the broader regional implications, the statement reiterated calls for the Middle East to become a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, in line with international resolutions. The ministers urged all countries in the region to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) without exception and condemned any targeting of nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, calling such actions a clear breach of international and humanitarian law.

The group also called for the urgent resumption of diplomatic negotiations to reach a sustainable resolution to Iran’s nuclear program. Stressing the importance of protecting freedom of navigation, the ministers warned against any threat to maritime security.

Concluding their statement, the foreign ministers affirmed that military action cannot resolve regional crises, underscoring the need for diplomacy, dialogue and adherence to the principles of good neighbourliness and international law.