TEHRAN- Iran's Defense Minister has cautioned that a possible Israeli ground attack in the Gaza Strip would complicate matters even more.

“The entry of Israeli troops into Gaza and a ground operation there will make the situation more complicated from a humanitarian and security point of view,” Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiyani said in a phone conversation with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbas on Friday.

Ashtiyani said that the U.S. government backs the ruthless Israeli regime by shipping weapons and fulfilling Tel Aviv’s needs from its regional bases.

The Iranian defense minister emphasized that the U.S. rejection of a UN Security Council resolution demanding a halt to Israel’s attacks and crimes against the people of Gaza would serve as a “license” for the regime to kill more oppressed Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

Ashtiyani added, “The visits by the U.S. president and other statesmen to the occupied territories prove they seek to cause more complication in the region but they should know there is a threshold to Muslims’ tolerance.”

He predicted a “humanitarian catastrophe” if the Gaza siege is not lifted and no authorization is granted to deliver supplies.

“It is necessary to know that regional nations will not tolerate the continuation of this regime’s crimes,” he stated.

He declared that the Iranian defense ministry is prepared to provide food and medication to Gaza to alley the suffering of the local population.

The Iranian minister of defense went on to say that Israel has been violating the rights of the people living in Gaza for 75 years “with the support of Western countries and the United States.”

He once again reiterated Iran’s support for the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in its ongoing conflict with Israel.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes Operation Al-Aqsa Storm and the actions of Hamas fighters have been carried out within the framework of legitimate defense and counteraction to the occupation of the Palestinian land,” Ashtiani said.

The Iraqi defense minister, for his part, stated that Baghdad vehemently opposes any normalization of relations with the regime and has loudly denounced Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people.

To strengthen unity and support the oppressed people in Gaza, the prime minister of Iraq is consulting with representatives of Arab and Muslim nations, al-Abbas said. 

He also expressed Iraq’s willingness to provide Gaza with humanitarian help.

On Thursday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called the U.S. rejection of the UN Security Council resolution a “double oppression” of the Palestinians and mankind. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. aborted a resolution that was drafted by Brazil and attempted to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli bombings and shelling of the small Gaza territory.

Twelve of the fifteen members of the UN Security Council cast “yes” votes for the resolution, with Russia and Britain abstaining. For a council resolution to be approved, it must be supported by the U.S. and the other four veto-wielding members of the council. In addition, none of the permanent members should veto the resolution for it to pass. 

Inventing a pretext to veto the draft resolution, U.S. Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “This resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defense.” 

The U.S. has always been a staunch supporter of Israel. Washington has been supporting the regime by blocking international efforts to hold the regime accountable for its acts.

Head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization Brigadier General Gholamzadeh Jalali warned on Friday that a “new Hitler” is now killing innocent people in West Asia with the help of Western rulers.   

“A new Hitler has been created in the region who with the help of liberal supporters, kills women, children and the elderly during strikes on civilian sites like hospitals,” Jalali explained, noting that Israeli crimes against Gaza, which enjoy the full support of the West, amount to “genocide”.