Raisi: We await Egypt, OIC to open Rafah crossing as soon as possible

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
19 Oct 2023 16:05

The OIC statement calls for the immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and opening humanitarian corridors.

President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in New York (AP)

In a post on his X account, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tehran awaits the Egyptian government and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza as soon as possible to allow the passage of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

انتظار ما از دولت مصر، از سازمان کنفرانس اسلامی و از اتحادیه همکاری کشورهای اسلامی آن است که هر چه سریع تر گذرگاه رفح بازگشایی شده و امدادرسانی به مردم مظلوم #غزه آغاز شود.
— سید ابراهیم رئیسی (@raisi_com) October 19, 2023

Yesterday, the OIC Executive Council passed a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of the occupation's aggression on Gaza and the opening of humanitarian corridors to transfer urgent aid to the Palestinians in the Strip.

Hamas praised the OIC resolution called for realizing it in actuality to stop the aggression and the genocide that the occupation is perpetrating against Palestinians, to stop all attempts at normalization with the occupation and its integration into the region, and to support the Palestinian people's national right of defending their lands and sanctities.

Earlier this week, during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned about the continued aggression of Israeli occupation forces on the Palestinian people in Gaza.

He emphasized that "it is quite possible that the war could spill over to other regions, and in that, it will be more difficult to bring the escalated situation under control. Therefore, we expect all countries and international organizations, including Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to play a more effective role in stopping the war crimes being committed by the Zionist regime."

Raisi also blamed the US for its continued blind support of the Israeli occupation, as well as its failed foreign policy in the region and how it contributed to the ongoing war.

The Iranian President emphasized that Iran's "friendship and neighborliness, along with the common approaches of the two sides on the Palestinian issue," can provide the groundwork for establishing consultations on peace and stability in the region.

Raisi reiterated Iran's unapologetic support for Palestinian Resistance groups when asked by Putin if Tehran could influence them to a ceasefire.

"The resistance groups themselves are independent in making decisions. Naturally, any action by resistance groups against Zionist aggression is acceptable to everyone, because it is legitimate self-defense."