Iran's Araghchi meets OIC chief in Iraq to discuss Islamic world issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in Iraq on Saturday afternoon, on the sidelines of the annual session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, according to Mehr News Agency (MNA). The two officials exchanged views on issues facing the Islamic world and on items listed on the organisation's agenda.

Araghchi congratulated the new secretary-general on his appointment and stressed the importance of the OIC playing an effective role in strengthening solidarity among Islamic countries and in confronting common challenges and threats against the Islamic world, particularly with regard to occupied Palestine. Pointing to Iran's status as a founding member of the OIC, the foreign minister said the Islamic Republic expects the secretariat to act with a professional and impartial approach to strengthen Islamic understanding and solidarity, and to prevent any impression of bias by the secretariat for or against any member state.

The meeting also covered developments in the Arabian Peninsula and the escalation of conflicts in the region. Araghchi stressed Iran's readiness to help facilitate dialogue and engagement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The OIC secretary-general, for his part, thanked the Iranian foreign minister for attending the summit and said the secretariat is keen to draw on Iran's experience and capacities to design and advance new initiatives on mediation and the settlement of disputes among Islamic countries.

The talks took place during the annual session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which brings together foreign ministers of member states to review the organisation's agenda and address issues of concern to the Islamic world. Iran is a founding member of the OIC, a status Araghchi cited in setting out Tehran's expectations for the secretariat's conduct.

According to Mehr News Agency (MNA), the meeting focused on Islamic world issues, occupied Palestine, and regional developments, with the Iranian side expressing readiness to support dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and the OIC secretariat expressing interest in drawing on Iran's experience for mediation initiatives.