Iran has said it prefers a one-state solution to the conflict in Gaza rather than a recent plan put forward by Arab states after a meeting in Cairo last week. Tehran expressed this view at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference, where foreign ministers of various Muslim countries had gathered.
This is a pivotal time in the region. The ceasefire in Gaza is still holding, Hamas has rejected Israel’s attempts to extend the first phase of a hostage deal, US President Donald Trump’s administration has engaged in direct talks with the terror group, and the Islamic Republic and the Arab states oppose his plan for re-settling Gazans.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at the OIC that the two-state solution “will not secure Palestinian rights, emphasizing Tehran’s support for the establishment of one state representing all the original inhabitants of Palestine.”
He said, “With due respect to the views of some brotherly countries on the two-state solution, the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains its view that this solution will not lead to the realization of the rights of the Palestinian people.”
Iran has lost some of its influence in the Middle East after the fall of the Assad regime and the weakening of its proxies throughout the Middle East. It is now trying to claw this power back.
No two-state solution
“In our view, ‘one democratic state’ representing all the original inhabitants of Palestine is the only viable solution,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
“Given the Israeli regime’s persistent defiance of the UN Charter, its designation of the UN secretary-general as persona non grata, the complete obstruction of UNRWA’s operations, and the unprecedented tragic loss of hundreds of UN staff in Palestine, it is imperative to continue our endeavors for Israeli regime’s expulsion from the United Nations,” Iran said at the OIC. The country’s state media published the foreign minister’s entire speech, indicating its importance in their eyes.
Tehran says it has “uncompromising support” for the “cause of Palestine.”
“While the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the present resolution, and without prejudice to the foregoing, it would like to put on record the following reservations on the content of the outcome of this meeting, details of which will be communicated later with the secretariat [of the OIC],” the Iranians’ said.
Iran says it doesn’t want the OIC to be construed as recognizing the “Zionist regime.” Its foreign minister went on to say that the country “earnestly hopes that this auspicious meeting will inspire the international community to take meaningful action to advance justice and peace for the people of Palestine. May this gathering be a renewed commitment to their honorable cause.”
Iran is thus trying to claw back some role in the Islamic world. It is obviously concerned that the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian proposal at the Arab League for Gaza could end with moderation or the replacement of Hamas. Iran would thus lose out in Gaza as well.