TEHRAN- Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister of Iran, has criticized certain Western nations for taking a hypocritical stance toward the ongoing crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip

During a phone conversation on Sunday, Amir Abdollahian spoke with his British counterpart David Cameron on bilateral relations and the most recent developments in the region.

He emphasized that the occupying regime cannot be permitted to carry out its genocide against the Palestinian people in the besieged enclave and to set the entire region on fire.

The top Iranian diplomat went on to say that the root of the Palestinian crisis goes back to 75 years of Israeli occupation, its continuous violation of the basic rights of the Palestinians, and the war crimes it committed in the occupied territories, “which of course the role of the UK in these issues is clear”.

He emphasized that Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement, is a liberation movement against occupation and apartheid, as was the case in South Africa for many years, denouncing the silence of some Western governments regarding the crimes committed by the Israeli regime against the innocent Palestinians in Gaza over the past 80 days.

Amir Abdollahian also expressed optimism that by taking “a realistic and constructive approach” to bilateral relationships and regional developments, the UK will contribute to improving relations.

“The Israeli regime cannot be allowed to commit massacres of women and children, nor perpetrate genocide in Gaza and inflame the region, yet considering stopping a Zionist ship in the Red Sea as a threat to the security of this vital economic waterway,” he added, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Regarding the threats against Iran, Amir Abdollahian warned, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will give a strong and regretting response to any Israeli regime’s adventurism and acts of aggression.”

Cameron, for his part, urged Iran to make measures to limit the scope of the conflict in the region and improve maritime security.

The two parties also agreed that it was critical to continue conversations and exchange opinions on relevant issues.

After Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying force in retaliation for the Israeli regime’s decades-long campaign of death and destruction in Palestine, Israel launched its attack on Gaza on October 7.

Nearly 22,000 Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli violence to date, the majority of them being women and children. While numerous deceased are still under debris, another 55,600 people have been injured.

The more than two million Palestinians who live there are without food, water, fuel, power, or other necessities as a result of the Tel Aviv regime’s complete siege of the region.

“Israel allies even lose faith in crisis-torn regime”

Speaking at a Sunday meeting with members of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Amir Abdollahian said that even the Israeli regime’s closest supporters have lost their faith, seeking for initiatives for post-Israel period.

He also described Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, launched by Hamas against Israel on October 7, as a “turning point” in regional developments.

“Today, the Zionist regime (Israel) is in such a state that even the regime’s friends have no hope for it and are thinking about a post-Israel era,” Zohreh Elahian, a member of the committee, quoted the foreign minister as saying.

He also underlined how desperate the United States is as the primary backer of Israel because of growing anti-Israel sentiment both domestically and internationally.

Amir Abdollahian additionally discussed Iran’s diplomatic initiatives in favor of the Palestinian people, the lawmaker pointed out, including talks with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan.

There is rising global outrage and gloom directed at politicians and governments who vetoed or refrained from voting on a cease-fire resolution at the United Nations.

Human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders have also chastised nations who oppose a ceasefire in Gaza, warning of a humanitarian calamity.

Activists have created a global movement called Countdown2Ceasefire, which asks people to use the New Year’s Eve countdown in their countries to countdown to a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

Amir Abdollahian rejected concerns about radioactive pollution of the Aras River when questioned by a legislator who represents two border counties in the northeastern province of Ardabil.

According to the foreign minister, the scientific investigation and verification efforts of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization have ruled out any contamination of the Aras River caused by the operation of Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power facility.