Iran says OIC bowed to Saudi agenda

Tensions between bitter regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran escalated this month after Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric triggered an attack by Iranian protesters on its Tehran embassy, leading the kingdom to cut diplomatic ties.

The OIC, based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, gathered for an exceptional meeting called by Riyadh over the storming of its embassy and consulate by Iranian protesters on January 2.

Such “aggressions” contravene global law as well as the OIC charter, said the communique, which member state Iran rejected.

The lifting of sanctions on Iran as a result of its nuclear deal with world powers will be a harmful development if it uses the extra money to fund “nefarious activities”, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Reuters on Tuesday. All were convicted of “terrorism”.

The statement affirmed that such attacks are incompatible with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Charter and the United Nations Charter, which call for strengthening confidence and encouraging friendly relations, mutual respect and cooperation between Member States, as well as peaceful settlement of disputes and maintenance of global peace and security and to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries. “It is clear that the continued deterioration of relations between some of our member states contributes to deepening rifts” among Islamic nations, Madani said.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman dismissed the OIC statement, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported on Friday.

Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah, also Chairman of the meeting, reiterated support for Saudi measures to combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

He added that such tensions “distract us from addressing the real challenges”, including “terrorism”, which threaten members of the organization that calls itself the collective voice of the Muslim world. “Attacking the Saudi embassy (in Tehran) was really bad and harmed Iran and Islam but this should not be an excuse to criticize our devout young people” Khamenei was quoted as saying on his website.

“It is important to point out that the aggression against the kingdom’s missions comes as part of Iran’s aggressive policies and its continuous interference in the internal issues of the countries in the region”.

“Iran recruits militias in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen”, the official said.