The head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the group is committed to supporting and defending Iran, citing the country’s role in promoting Islamic unity within the organisation. OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, on the sidelines of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum held in Riyadh. Taha also called on Iran to continue backing the OIC’s missions and initiatives.

Gharibabadi praised the OIC and its member states for unanimously condemning what he described as the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran and for their continued support of the Pales-tinian cause, particularly in relation to the war on Ga-za. He referred to military action taken against Iran in June, stating that it was carried out by Israel with backing from the United States and was met with a firm response from Iran.

According to Gharibabadi, the escalation increased solidarity among Islamic countries, strengthened national unity inside Iran, and reinforced the view that Israel is a central threat to regional and international peace and security. He reiterated Iran’s call for justice for victims in Ga-za and urged the monitoring and documentation of alleged crimes there, calling for those responsible, as well as their facilitators and accomplices, to be held accountable.