US said uninterested in expanding war, but leads war on Gaza: Iran FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Oct 2023 00:31
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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reveals that the United States stressed that it was not in pursuit of war in the Middle East amid rising tensions between the Axis of Resistance and the Israeli occupation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is seen before a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Kishida's office in Tokyo, August 7, 2023 (AP)

Iran supports the Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation within the framework of humanitarian values and international laws, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Monday.

Amir-Abdollahian pointed out during a press conference that international laws stipulate the right to use arms by those whose land has been occupied, noting that Tehran supports this right and stressing that resistance is an undeniable reality in this region, urging everyone to recognize this fact.

He reiterated his statement that the region has become a "powder keg that could explode at any moment," and he urged everyone to take urgent measures to stop the killing of civilians in Gaza.

Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that Tehran does not seek to expand the scope of the war, while at the same time, he noted that everyone was fed up with the continued bombing of civilians and the massacres committed against them.

He also mentioned that the United States has sent two messages to Iran, in which they expressed their disinterest in expanding the crisis in the region, called on Iran to exercise restraint, and advised other parties in the region to do so as well.

At the same time, Amir-Abdollahian asserted that the decision-making process when it comes to the war on Gaza against the Palestinians was in the hands of Washington, both militarily and security-wise, indicating that the latter has proven itself to be non-neutral by sending tons of military equipment and providing comprehensive support to the Israeli occupation.

He also mentioned that some Western countries, led by the United States, completely ignore the issue of occupation, seeking to condemn Hamas, which goes to show their double standards.

The Iranian minister sent a direct message to US President Joe Biden, asking: "Is this hypocrisy? Do the massacres, the bombing of civilians, and the destruction of hospitals align with your slogans?"

Regarding aid from Iran to Gaza through Egypt, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that the targeting of civilian facilities aims to displace the people of Gaza from the north to the south and then deport them to Egyptian Sinai.

He noted that the occupation believes this dream is close due to the comprehensive support they have received from the United States. He stated that the Israelis would fail today, just as they failed against Hezbollah years ago.

The Islamic resistance in Lebanon had grown so much in terms of strength that they forced the United States to send them dozens of messages, demanding that they don't open a front on each other.

As for sending aid to the Gaza Strip, the Iranian Foreign Minister mentioned an agreement with Cairo to deliver aid from Iran to Gaza through Egypt as quickly as possible.

Finally, he highlighted that there were logistical issues related to sending equipment to Egypt via el-Arish Airport, stating that contacts were currently being made with Cairo to resolve them.

In a phone call with his Syrian counterpart Ali Abbas on Monday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani described the brutal aggression perpetuated by the Israeli occupation forces against Gaza as "political suicide".

"This accursed entity is trying to compensate for its unprecedented operational and intelligence failures by killing children and innocents in Gaza," he said.

Ashtiani condemned Israel's crimes, particularly the aggression on the Baptist Hospital in Gaza on October 17. He emphasized that the situation in Palestine was "painful and tragic."

He also pointed to the victories of the resistance in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, affirming that "after these victories, the Zionist entity revealed its inhumane crimes in Gaza."

Furthermore, Iran's Defense Minister condemned the Israeli airstrikes against the Damascus and Aleppo airports, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of Syrian army officers and Syrian civilians, stating that the Israeli occupation's goal with these attacks was to "send a message that this entity is present on all fronts and capable of a serious and decisive response," despite "the fragility of this entity compared to the perceptions it has created."

The Syrian Defense Minister praised Iran's efforts in following closely on the concerns of Syria and the Axis of Resistance, stating, "We are deeply saddened by what happened in Gaza and beloved Palestine, and we are confident that the blood of martyrs will bring shame to the Zionists."

"The aggression of this occupation entity on Aleppo and Damascus airports is indicative of its internal weakness, especially on the battlefield. We will stand against this criminal entity for the higher cause," he added.

The Syrian Defense Minister also said the Israeli crimes in occupied Palestine, especially in Gaza, expose "the filth and brutality of the supporters of this entity to the world and arouses the support of all Arabs, Muslims, and free people for Palestine, heralding the end of these criminals and a significant turning point and defeat for the Zionist entity."

Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian pointed out that "the ultimate goal of the fake and occupying Israeli regime is the forced displacement of the residents of Gaza and the West Bank to the Sinai region of Egypt and parts of Jordan."

Amir-Abdollahian made this statement in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry as part of diplomatic consultations with officials from Islamic countries regarding the need to stop the war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the people of Gaza.

The top Iranian diplomat once again announced the readiness of the Iranian Red Crescent to send humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza through Egypt.

He indicated that "Tel Aviv is trying to establish a Palestinian state outside the historical land of the Palestinians, but the resistance has been the main barrier to the realization of the troubled dreams of the Zionists."