The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, has avoided mentioning Iran's intention to retaliate against Israel in a joint statement adopted at an emergency meeting.

The decision is believed to reflect concerns among the neighboring countries about the current fighting escalating into a wider regional conflict.

The OIC has 57 members in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and elsewhere. The foreign ministerial meeting was held in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on Wednesday in response to the killing of the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh during his visit to Tehran in July.

The joint statement says the organization "strongly condemns the assassination" and holds Israel "fully responsible" for the attack. It also requested "immediate and effective intervention" by the UN Security Council.

At the meeting, Iran expressed its intention to retaliate against Israel and sought the understanding of Islamic nations. But the joint statement did not mention this.

Meanwhile, the Iranian presidential office said on Wednesday that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held phone talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Pezeshkian reportedly told Macron that the United States and European countries should "immediately stop selling weapons" to Israel and "compel the country to stop its genocide and attacks on Gaza" if they really want to prevent the insecurity of the region.

He also sought France's understanding for Iran's possible retaliation against Israel, saying his country will never remain silent within the framework of international treaties and laws in the face of attacks on its interests and security.

Fighting also continues between Israel and the Lebanon-based Shia Muslim group Hezbollah.

Israeli forces say they have struck a number of Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon through Thursday.

Attention is focused on how Hezbollah will respond in the future. CNN reported that Hezbollah "looks increasingly like it may strike Israel independent of whatever Iran may intend to do," citing two sources.