TEHRAN- Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister, has urged nations with centuries-old customs and civilizations to band together to put an end to Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip and bring Israeli authorities to account for war crimes.

Amir Abdollahian made remarks on Thursday at the Ancient Civilizations Forum in Tehran.

He also called the situation in Gaza “distressing” and condemned Israel’s seven-decade occupation and seizure of Palestinian lands.

In addition, he denounced the self-styled human rights advocates for remaining silent in the face of the horrors and brutalities brought about by the fake Israeli regime.

He denounced the Israeli air and ground assaults, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 20,057 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, injuries to over 53,320 others, and the forced displacement of the majority of Palestinian residents of the besieged region.

Additionally, Amir Abdollahian blasted Israel’s deliberate demolition of Gaza’s historical landmarks as well as its efforts to obliterate the Old City of al-Quds’ Islamic identity.

“Countries with ancient civilizations are expected to condemn such crimes, and utilize all means at their disposal to stop the current situation and put war criminals on trial at an international court of law,” the Iranian minister pointed out.

He also urged governments to play their part in maintaining the civilized, cultural, and religious interaction and understanding among nations by criminalizing and punishing such actions. 

He denounced the recent desecration of the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures in some European countries.

According to Amir Abdollahian, it is the duty of nations with rich cultural and historical backgrounds to refute ideas of supremacy, dominance, exclusivity, and racism.

He emphasized that the discourse of dominance and aggression, the instrumentalization of international ideals, and the application of double standards continue to have negative effects on the international community.

The nations of Iran, Armenia, Italy, Bolivia, Peru, China, Iraq, Egypt, Mexico, and Greece make up the Ancient Civilizations Forum, which was founded in 2017. Iran assumed the forum’s rotational presidency and organized the gathering in 2023.

“U.S. culpable for involvement in Israeli massacre in Gaza”

In a phone conversation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi on Thursday, Amir Abdollahian noted that the U.S. has international responsibility for its unquestionable involvement in Israeli war crimes and genocide against the Gaza and West Bank people.

The agreements established between President Ibrahim Raisi and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman are being implemented appropriately, according to the Iranian foreign minister, who also discussed the frequent meetings and contacts between officials of the two nations at all levels.

During Sultan Haitham’s May visit to Tehran, at least four agreements pertaining to energy, investment, and the economy were inked between Oman and Iran.

The Omani foreign minister emphasized the strengthening of the two nations’ fraternal and friendly ties while highlighting the necessity of a long-term truce in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the besieged region.

On Thursday, Amir Abdollahian signaled Iran’s willingness to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza during a phone conversation with the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

He also urged stronger international mobilization to stop Israeli airstrikes on the region.

The most recent state of affairs in occupied Palestine, Israeli aggression against the Gaza people, and the actions made by the 57-member Islamic bloc to defend the Palestinian people were all topics of discussion between Hissein Brahim Taha and Amir Abdollahian.

The Iranian minister called for more action by the international community, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to stop the Zionist regime’s ongoing attacks and aggression, “expressing deep regret and condemning them, which is a clear example of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.”

He mentioned the terrible state of affairs in Gaza in terms of humanitarian aid, as well as the limitations and medical issues brought about by Israel’s constant airstrikes. 

Based on the decisions made at the most recent OIC summit in Riyadh, the minister underlined the necessity of adopting suitable and prompt measures to ease the dispatch of humanitarian goods and cargoes, particularly those including medical and pharmaceutical supplies.

Amir Abdollahian also updated the OIC secretary on some of the steps the Islamic Republic has taken to assist the Palestinian people who are currently facing extreme hardship, such as his Wednesday travel to Qatar and discussions with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas.

Presenting a report on actions taken by the OIC and its secretariat based on the recent resolution published at the end of the Riyadh summit, Taha voiced worry and condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks against Gaza. 

Additionally, he praised Iran’s actions and declared that he was prepared to advance Iran's and the OIC’s collaboration.

Iran praises South Africa backing of Palestine

Amir Abdollahian and Naledi Pandor, the Foreign Minister of South Africa, spoke over the phone on Thursday over the most recent domestic and global events, particularly the Gaza issue.

Amir Abdollahian also praised the South African government for its unwavering and clear support of the Palestinian people, stressing the need for joint international action to denounce the crimes of the Zionist regime and implement meaningful changes to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

He also praised the improving ties between South Africa and Iran.

Pandor, for her part, reiterated South Africa’s strong support for Palestine and her desire to see an end to Israeli atrocities against Gazans. 

She mentioned that the South African government has formally asked the International Court of Justice to prosecute Israel for its crimes against the Palestinian people.