TEHRAN- Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in new phone calls with several foreign officials. 

During his call with S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of India, the Iranian chief diplomat warned that the continuation of Israeli crimes against Gaza will only complicate the situation in West Asia. He said if Israel is not reined in, new fronts may open among the resistance forces to respond to the relentless and sickening crimes of the regime. 

Abdollahian noted that it is expected that India, along with other regional and global countries, works towards establishing a ceasefire and sending extensive humanitarian aid to the war-weary people of Gaza. He added it is necessary for countries around the globe to stand against the inhumane actions of Israel and prevent a “full-scale genocide” and displacement of Palestinian people. 

For his part, the top Indian diplomat described the situation in Gaza as heartbreaking and stated that his country closely monitors the regional conditions and believes that, despite all the existing disagreements, joint actions and efforts should be made to improve the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

“India is ready to play a role within the framework of initiatives presented by the Islamic Republic of Iran to halt military operations and prevent the escalation and expansion of the crisis,” he said.
The Indian foreign minister also raised some bilateral issues.

Israel’s bombings paving the way for genocide

During his second call with the UN Secretary-General since the beginning of the war on Gaza, Amir Abdollahian enumerated the deliberate destruction of urban and administrative infrastructure, hospitals, and educational centers as a terrifying prospect for the international community. He said such heinous crimes will pave the way for genocide once the Israeli regime begins to carry out a land offensive into Gaza. He called on the international community to stop such disasters from unfolding. 

The top Iranian diplomat described the actions of the Zionist regime during the attacks on Gaza as "war crimes" and drew the attention of the UN chief to some prominent cases of gross violations of international law and human rights principles during Israel's 75-year occupation of Palestinian territories.

Amir Abdollahian also called on Guterres to condemn Israel’s actions which have evidently and undoubtedly violated international law, asking him to take the necessary measures to bring an end to the brutal siege on Gaza. He said it is important that people gain free access to humanitarian aid. 

Appreciation for South Africa’s stance

Talking to the Foreign Minister of South Africa, Amir Abdollahian expressed gratefulness for “the appropriate action” of the South African government in issuing a statement in support of the oppressed people of Palestine.

The top Iranian diplomat also got to chance to speak with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on the phone. 

During the phone call the two sides emphasized the importance of holding an Islamic Cooperation Organization emergency meeting to discuss the war on Gaza. 

They also stressed that Israeli war crimes against Palestinians should be immediately stopped and that more humanitarian aid must reach Gaza as soon as possible. 

MHA/PA