TEHRAN – Iran and Qatar have once again called on regional and extra-regional countries to help bring an end to the plight of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip who have been subject to brutal and savage Israeli attacks in the past 8 months. 

The remarks were made during a Friday phone call between Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

During the phone conversation, Ali Baqeri, on behalf of the Iranian government and people appreciated the sympathy and messages of condolences by Qatari officials over the martyrdom of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Baqeri voiced special thanks for the participation of the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the country’s prime minister and foreign minister in the commemoration ceremony of the martyred Iranian president and foreign minister held in Tehran. 

Meanwhile, Baqeri highlighted a recent recommendation by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, who emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations between Tehran and Doha during a meeting with the Qatari Emir. 

Regarding the latest developments in Palestine and the ongoing Israeli crimes against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the caretaker foreign minister called for stronger interaction and cooperation between the two countries and other Muslim states to defend the oppressed Palestinian people. 

Baqeri also appreciated the Qatari government's efforts to halt the Zionists' genocide against Palestinians and send immediate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Elsewhere in his comments, the diplomat noted that the occupying regime has intensified its criminal activities in Rafah, stressing that Islamic states should work together to stop the crimes.

He asserted, “The Zionists need to know that continuing and intensifying the crimes in Gaza will come at a cost.” 

For his part, the Qatari prime minister and foreign minister underlined the special efforts by the Qatari Emir to enhance ties between the two countries in various areas.

Terming the situation in Gaza as complicated due to the Israeli regime’s warlike approach, the Qatari premier elaborated on his country’s efforts to stop the war, establish a ceasefire, and deliver urgent aid to the Palestinian people under blockade.

During the talks, both sides raised the idea of holding an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to review the latest developments in Palestine, especially the recent Israeli crimes in Rafah.