TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has expressed condolences over the assassination of Vice Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Bahr.

In a message on Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian described him as a valiant worrier trying to face off the Israeli regime. 

He continued by saying that “the crimes of the usurping Zionist regime against the Palestinian nation will only cause its faster deterioration and will make its ugly face more visible.”

Amir Abdollahian offered condolences to his family as well as the great and resilient nation of Palestine. 

'World Children’s Day is tragedy if no tangible actions are taken to protect Palestinian children'

The Iran’s top diplomat has demanded immediate international action to save Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s continuing genocide against the besieged region has claimed hundreds of lives.

Amir Abdollahian made the remarks in a post on the X platform on Monday, which marked World Children’s Day.

“As the United Nations secretary general has unequivocally said, Gaza has turned into a graveyard for children,” Iran's top diplomat said, citing comments made by Antonio Guterres.

“Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children. Hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day,” the UN chief told reporters in early November, adding that the Israeli regime is simultaneously targeting “civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and UN facilities – including shelters. No one is safe.”

“More than 5,500 Palestinian children have been martyred in the Zionist regime’s attacks,” Iran’s foreign minister added.

Amir Abdollahian also warned, “In the absence of practical and urgent measures by the international community to protect the lives of Palestinian children, World Children's Day will be nothing more than a big and deplorable tragedy.”

“The scenes of the killing of children and students in the Gaza Strip violate all norms and conventions,” the Palestinian health Ministry said, adding, “These horrific scenes, broadcast on television and the media, reveal the mentality of the Israeli occupation and its continued targeting of education across the entire occupied territories, including the West Bank and the occupied city of al-Quds,” he said. 
 
Mohammad Reza Ahmadi, an Iranian lawmaker, reiterated on Monday that Tehran appealed to Arab states, asking them to cut ties with the Israeli regime and its vociferous supporters. The Parliament member emphasized that Muslim countries can only help Palestinians by coming up with a cohesive and effective response. He added that mere condemnations cannot change the behavior of Israeli leaders.  

He also stressed Muslim countries should take a united stance against Israel in order to bring an end to the brutal massacre of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

“Addressing international forums and especially Islamic countries, I ask, don't you see the heinous crimes Israel is committing in Palestine? Aren’t able to see the callous massacre of women and children? Muslim countries, free thinkers, and awakened youth, silence is no longer acceptable, the region must be made unsafe for the child-killing regime and its supporters,” stated the MP.

Targeting hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and UN facilities —including shelters where displaced people have sought safety— is just one aspect of the Israeli regime’s continuous assault on Gaza.

The plight of children in Gaza has drawn the attention of rights activists and anti-war groups around the world as protests are being held almost on a daily basis in cities in Western countries to press the Israeli regime to stop its massacre of women and children in the blockaded territory.

FM calls for adequate assistance for Iranian expatriates

In a meeting with Iran’s new Consul General in Frankfurt Mansour Ayrom, Amir Abdollahian emphasized the status of Iranians and the need to provide proper and smooth consular services to expatriates.

For his part, Ayrom gave a report on his trip and went into detail on the plans pertaining to diaspora affairs, consular, economic, scientific, and cultural matters.

In the meantime, Amir Abdollahian discussed the significance of bolstering strategic ties with other nations in accordance with the policy of encouraging collaboration with neighbors during a separate meeting with Reza Ameri, Iran’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

He praised the relationship between Tehran and Abu Dhabi and expressed optimism that authorities from the two nations will work together to resolve various bilateral executive concerns, particularly those pertaining to trade and economics. They also discussed developments in Palestine and Gaza, as well.