Arab, Islamic nations, including Kuwait, urge end to Israeli hostilities against Iran and call for de-escalation
A coalition of Arab and Islamic countries, including Kuwait, issued a joint statement Monday evening demanding an immediate halt to Israeli hostilities against Iran amid growing tensions in the Middle East. The statement emphasized the urgency of de-escalation and the pursuit of a comprehensive ceasefire to preserve regional stability.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Brunei Darussalam, Turkey, Chad, Gambia, Algeria, the Comoros, Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Libya, and Mauritania. The ministers voiced grave concern over the unprecedented escalation stemming from Israeli military actions against Iran.
The signatories strongly condemned the Israeli aggression and any actions that violate international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. They reiterated their firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful coexistence of all states in the region, highlighting the need for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the principle of good neighborliness.
The statement warned of the potential for far-reaching consequences to the region’s security and stability due to the current escalation and underscored the urgency of returning to calm.
The ministers also called for renewed efforts to establish a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, in line with international resolutions. They urged all countries in the region to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) without delay or selectivity.
Additionally, the joint statement emphasized the importance of refraining from targeting nuclear facilities that fall under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing relevant IAEA and UN Security Council resolutions. Such acts, they warned, would constitute blatant violations of international and humanitarian law as outlined in the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
The ministers stressed that the only viable path toward resolving issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program lies in the resumption of negotiations. Diplomatic dialogue, not military confrontation, remains the only sustainable and lawful approach to crisis resolution, they stated.
The declaration also highlighted the need to ensure freedom of navigation in international waterways in accordance with international legal frameworks and to safeguard maritime security.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Kuwaiti citizens in Iran to contact the nearest diplomatic mission to facilitate their safe return.
In a related statement, Egyptian diplomat Hossam Shaltout reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Arab and Islamic solidarity in confronting the escalating regional tensions, reinforcing the unified call for peace through diplomacy.
