Iran FM talks to Russian, British and Brazilian counterparts on Gaza

November 4, 2023 - 22:43
‘Palestine crisis is rooted in Israeli occupation’

TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has held separate phone calls with foreign ministers of Russia, Britain, and Brazil on the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip and the spread of war beyond Gaza.

In a conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov Friday, they discussed the latest developments in Gaza, expressing concern over the spillover of the Israeli war to other parts of the region.

The international community was encouraged by Amir Abdollahian to step up its efforts to stop Israel’s “crimes and genocide” against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Lavrov stated that Russia and Iran share a common perspective on the serious situation in Palestine, notably in Gaza, which has been subjected to Israeli airstrikes since October 7.

The senior Russian official stated that his country is fearful that the war’s spread may spiral out of control.

Earlier on Friday, Amir Abdollahian held separate phone talks with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The readiness of Palestinian resistance groups and other resistance groups in the region to counter the Tel Aviv regime formed the cornerstone of Amir Abdollahian’s talks with the Syrian and Qatari foreign ministers. 

The top Iranian diplomat censured the occupying Israeli regime for its “barbaric war crimes”, including the killing of women, children, civilians, and the extensive destruction of vital infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

He also said the Zionist regime and the U.S. are “responsible” for the consequences of war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

“Palestinians have rights to oppose Israeli occupation”

In the phone call with his British counterpart James Cleverly on Friday, Amir Abdollahian urged the UK to take a realistic stance toward the events taking place in the West Asia area, noting that the Israeli regime’s occupation of Palestine is the primary cause of the conflict.

“I advise that the British government adopt a realistic approach to the region's developments,” he said, adding, “In whatever approach, one should know that Palestine's crisis is rooted in occupation by the Israeli regime.”

“From the perspective of international law, the people of the occupied country enjoy a right to legitimate defense,” the top Iranian diplomat said, noting that the Islamic Republic recognizes confrontation against occupation as a right.

Amir Abdollahian also said it is essential to send humanitarian aid to the stranded Palestinians in Gaza and end the Israeli regime’s ongoing war against the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister said the principle of proportion in all wars, stating that the slaughter of more than 9,000 Palestinians “is not acceptable by any circumstances”.

Amir Abdollahian further said that the United States’ unwavering backing for the Israeli regime has exacerbated regional conflicts.

He continued by emphasizing that the region’s resistance forces “do not take orders from Iran, but rather make decisions based on existing circumstances and in line with issues of national and regional security.”

Cleverly, for his part, encouraged the Islamic Republic to attempt to prevent the spread of the conflict in the region.

He also emphasized the significance of collaboration between the Islamic Republic and his nation within the scope of current diplomatic norms.

Iran and Brazil discuss need for truce in Israeli war on Gaza 

During a telephone conversation on Saturday with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, the two chief diplomats stressed the need to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and dispatch humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.

Since October 7, Israel has cut off food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel to the besieged Gaza Strip. However, after the passage of many days, Israel has allowed a small number of trucks to deliver aid to Gaza, which houses 2.3 million population

The top Iranian diplomat thanked the efforts made by the Brazilian government in submitting a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council to end the conflict in Gaza.

For his part, Vieira praised Iran’s positive efforts to create peace and security in the region and throughout the world, pointing out Iran’s crucial position in the region.

In addition to the necessity of a truce in Gaza and providing humanitarian help to the people living there, he highlighted the need to provide foreign nationals a safe way out of the territory.

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