Iran's Reaction to the OIC Statement on Attacks on Saudi Oil Tankers

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry described the statement from the permanent representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah condemning the attacks by Houthi rebels 'supported by Iran' on two Saudi oil tankers as 'worthless,' 'unfair,' and 'one-sided,' and strongly condemned it. According to the state news agency IRNA, Bahram Qasemi stated on Thursday evening, August 9, that this statement was issued with the aim of 'covering up' the 'crimes' of the 'aggressor countries in Yemen' and 'diverting public opinion in the region and the world.' He emphasized that issuing such statements not only creates 'mistrust' among OIC member states but also leads to 'wasting the resources and capacities of member countries, making the organization ineffective in addressing the main issues facing the Islamic world, and weakening the organization's position internationally.' However, Mr. Qasemi did not respond to the accusation in this statement regarding Iran's 'support' for the Houthi Shiites in Yemen. Representatives of OIC member countries in their statement from the meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday condemned the attack by the Houthi Shiites 'supported by Iran' on two Saudi oil tankers. The statement emphasized that this action and other 'terrorist' acts by this 'Iran-supported' group in Yemen could jeopardize maritime transport security and international trade and have 'catastrophic' environmental consequences. OIC member countries also called on the UN Security Council to hold the Houthis and the Islamic Republic as the 'supporter' of this group 'accountable for multiple crimes against international law.' On August 25, Saudi Arabia announced that two of its giant oil tankers had been targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with one sustaining minor damage. Following this incident, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that if Iran attempts to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it will likely face an international coalition, and Israel would also join this coalition. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and is very close to southern Israel, is important for Israel just as it is for Saudi Arabia. The news of this incident came after threats from Iranian officials regarding the closure of regional straits and reports about the increase in Saudi oil production following US sanctions against Iran to control the oil market. Iran has consistently denied allegations of military support for the Yemeni rebels in response to accusations from the UN, the US, and Saudi Arabia. However, Nasser Shabani, head of the Defense Security Research Center at Imam Hussein University, made a controversial statement on Tuesday, August 6, claiming that the Islamic Republic had asked the Yemeni rebels to attack two Saudi oil tankers, and they did so. After this report was published, Ramadan Sharif, the spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), denied these remarks, stating that Mr. Shabani has 'no responsibility' in this organization. This statement from the IRGC spokesperson came despite no prior news of Mr. Shabani's dismissal from his positions in this organization. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have soured in recent years following conflicts in Syria and Yemen, increased regional competition between the two countries, and Saudi Arabia's opposition to the JCPOA. Mr. Qasemi also stated on Friday that representatives of the Islamic Republic 'are unable to attend OIC meetings in Jeddah due to the lack of visa issuance by Saudi Arabia.' The state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday, August 5, citing an 'informed source,' that Saudi Arabia had issued visas for the head and staff of the Iranian Interests Section in the country. Saudi Arabia severed its relations with Iran after attacks on its diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad in January 2016.