US blocking ceasefire in Gaza, Iran's Raisi says ahead of Saudi visit
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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi underlines that the United States is stonewalling any talks for a ceasefire in Gaza as the aggression against Palestinian civilians continues.
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In this photo released by Uzbekistan's President Press Office, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi attends the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 9, 2023. (AP)
The United States is obstructing efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in Saudi Arabia, in a trip to take part in an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in the region.
The Iranian president emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to halt the ongoing violence.
President Raisi's visit to Saudi Arabia, his first since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations in March, took on added significance as he addressed the media at Mehrabad airport in Tehran before his departure.
Wearing a traditional Palestinian koufiyyeh, he criticized the United States, stating, "If the crimes being committed nowadays in Gaza are not crimes against humanity, what is a fine example of such criminal acts then?"
Preventing and fueling
Raisi accused the US of contradictory statements, as Washington declared a desire to prevent the war's expansion while actively directing the war machine in Gaza. He asserted that Washington was not only blocking a ceasefire but also exacerbating the aggression.
The Iranian president called for exposing the true nature of the United States to the world.
The visit to Saudi Arabia was at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the OIC. Raisi revealed that Iran had requested an extraordinary summit on the war on Gaza a month ago, stressing the need for a landmark decision from Muslim countries.
Raisi urged the OIC to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to address the urgent matter of Palestine.
OIC must act
"The immediate cessation of Israeli bombardments, mechanisms to help the oppressed people of Gaza, removal of the Israeli blockade, and the realization of Gazans' rights should be the primary responsibilities of the OIC," Raisi stated, emphasizing that the organization was originally founded to find a resolution to the Palestinian issue.
President Raisi drew attention to the gravity of the situation, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in the tragic loss of over 11,000 Palestinian lives, including thousands of women and children
Read more: Iran warns of escalation: Ongoing Israeli crimes could draw in others
The international community, he noted, has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, condemning the US support for what many deem as war crimes and genocide committed by the Israeli occupation.
Reflecting on the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit, Raisi remarked, "The issue of Palestine has overshadowed all other topics." He expressed hope that his visit to Saudi Arabia and the unity of Muslim countries could bring about a resolution to the ongoing crisis and the Palestinian cause altogether.
Raisi, Erdogan agree on solution
Raisi had met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Thursday. The central topic of their discussions was the situation in Gaza within the context of the Palestinian struggle.
Turkish sources reported that the talks primarily revolved around addressing the humanitarian crisis resulting from ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, outlining potential steps for resolution.
The two presidents agreed that effective and practical decisions need to be made to help resolve the unfolding catastrophic situation in Gaza when the OIC meets in Riyadh.
Read next: Time running out for Israeli crimes; future is for Palestinians: Iran
The body, earlier in the month, 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, and 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.
