On June 16, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called on Hoi giao countries to unite to deal with Israel, after it conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear targets. He warned that if the Muslim world does not take action together, attacks in the region will continue and spread.
Speaking to the Pakistan parliament, Asif stressed that Israel does not act alone, but has received report, support and assistance. According to him, the Islamic world is still easily hit by military damage and needs a unified response to protect the common interest.
Just like Israel is attacking Yemen, Iran and Palestine today, if the Islamic world is not united today but continues to put its own interests and agendas first, then in the end everyone will be a target, he said.
Mr. Asif called on the Organization of the Indian Ocean (OIC) to convene a meeting to develop a response strategy to Israel, and said that Muslim countries need to cut off diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. Wherever there are diplomatic relations with Israel in the Muslim world, they should be ended, he said.
The Pakistani Defense Minister also affirmed his pro-Irian stance: We stand side by side with Iran and will support them at all international forums to protect their interests.
Pakistan's call came as Israel has just carried out airstrikes targeting many Iranian military and nuclear facilities, while assassinating a number of senior military commanders and a veteran nuclear scientist. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the strikes to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
In response, Iran launched many ballistic missiles targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. President Donald Trump has affirmed his support for Israel's actions, although the US denies direct involvement. After this development, Tehran has temporarily suspended nuclear talks with Washington.
