Iran’s top diplomat is in the Iraqi capital for a two day Islamic world meeting expected to cover Gaza, Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz and a planned Baghdad Declaration.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to attend the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, ANI reported, citing Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. The meeting runs on October 17 and 18. Report.az, citing Al Jazeera, said it comes as the US and Israeli war on Iran and escalating fighting in Yemen raise concern over regional security and energy supplies.
Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi Lands in Baghdad With a Delegation
Mehr News Agency reported that Araghchi left Tehran on Saturday and will present Iran’s positions and hold bilateral meetings with fellow foreign ministers. According to Report.az, IRIB said he leads a diplomatic delegation and will hold talks with several participating ministers.
What the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Will Discuss
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said the session runs under the theme “Dialogue and Solidarity as Two Essential Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development,” Talks will cover the Palestinian cause, the war in Gaza and wider regional tensions.
TRT World reported, citing Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry, that the agenda also includes Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al Mandab. The meeting is expected to end with the adoption of the Baghdad Declaration, according to TRT World and Daily Sabah. Daily Sabah added that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to press for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Yemen TV reported that Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al Zuba arrived in Baghdad on Friday for the session.
Iraq OIC Presidency Begins as Türkiye Hands Over the Chair
Iraq opened the session on Saturday and took over the council presidency from Türkiye, which assumed the role in June 2025, according to a report published by Hathalyoum. Session spokesperson Hassanein Kamel said all 57 member states would take part, along with observers and guests including UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed and about 40 nongovernmental organisations.
Daily Sabah noted that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was founded in 1969 and is the world’s second largest intergovernmental body after the United Nations. This is the first time Iraq has led the council’s presidency in its current rotation, a point Iraq’s Foreign Ministry has linked to its wish to reaffirm its standing in the Islamic world, IraqiNews reported earlier.
Will Pakistan Iran Talks Take Place in Baghdad?
IRNA reported on Thursday that Iran and Pakistan are expected to hold fresh consultations on regional peace efforts on the sidelines of the meeting, according to Arab News Pakistan. Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye were also expected to attend. The report did not say whether Araghchi would hold a separate meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Background: Iran and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Petra reported that on February 28 the OIC General Secretariat condemned Iran’s targeting of the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. In September, Tasnim reported that Araghchi told new OIC Secretary General Ould Cheikh Ahmed that Islamic countries should respond responsibly to violations of Iran’s sovereignty.
ANI separately reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Tehran on October 19 for talks with Araghchi. For wider context, see our Middle East coverage.
FAQs
When did the Iranian foreign minister arrive in Baghdad for the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers?
Araghchi arrived on Saturday, October 17, 2026, according to IRIB as relayed by ANI. The session runs October 17 and 18.
Is this the 53rd or 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad?
Mehr News Agency, TRT World and Hathalyoum all describe it as the 52nd session.
What is the Baghdad Declaration?
TRT World and Daily Sabah say it is the document expected to close the meeting. Its contents had not been published at the time of writing.
Which topics will the Organization of Islamic Cooperation discuss in Baghdad?
Reported topics include Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories, Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz.
What does the Iraq OIC presidency mean?
Iraq takes over the council chair from Türkiye, which held it since June 2025.
Will Pakistan Iran talks happen at the OIC meeting in Baghdad?
IRNA says fresh consultations are expected on the sidelines. No separate bilateral meeting has been confirmed.