TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has urgently appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) through letters addressed to its chief prosecutor, emphasizing the crucial need for immediate ICC intervention in addressing recent atrocities in Gaza.

Amir Abdollahian underscored the gravity of the situation, pointing to the brutal bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza by the Zionist regime. “The consequences of the conflict have been devastating, leading to the tragic deaths of over 14,000 innocent civilians and injuries to more than 32,000,” The Foreign Minister said, asserting that these actions categorize into international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Expressing concern over certain countries’ support for the Zionist regime, Amir Abdollahian asserted that this support motivates further aggression by the regime in committing crimes. He called on the ICC, in alignment with its legal commitment, to actively pursue the perpetrators of these crimes and bring an end to the prevailing state of impunity.

Amir Abdollahian claimed that he sees the ongoing ICC investigation into the Palestinian case as a litmus test for its judicial independence and impartiality. “It is time for the ICC to make a crucial decision on whether it wants to resist external pressures, or allow the brutalities of the occupying regime to remain unpunished,” he commented.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed anticipation that the ICC would hold those responsible for international crimes accountable, adhering to its core mandate. He urged the Court to conduct a judicious and effective legal pursuit of the perpetrators, free from any double standards and selective political justice.

Israel waged war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, after the Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched its surprise operation against the occupying forces. While Hamas’s attack was in response to decades of intense hostilities against the oppressed Palestinians, the Israeli military decided to further tighten the siege over Gaza and its residents, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the region.

MAS