US to blame for impeding ceasefire in Gaza Strip: Tehran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Dec 2023 20:11
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Kanaani stated that Iran has actively sought a ceasefire through international organizations, but the US veto power in the UN has allowed "Israel" to continue crimes in Gaza.

In this image published on August 11, 2022, by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani speaks in Tehran, Iran. (AP)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Sunday that the US is obstructing the initiation of a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and restricting the actions of the international community by exercising its veto power in international organizations.

"As regards a ceasefire, Iran has made efforts so that international organizations establish a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible. However, unfortunately, these organizations have failed to accomplish this task. The US has veto power in the UN, and using this power, Washington has freed Israel's hands in continuing military activities in Gaza," Kanaani said.

Tehran has been in continuous communication with Qatari authorities regarding the initiation of a ceasefire since the outset of the war on Gaza, the spokesperson reiterated.

"I certainly cannot predict whether a ceasefire will be established or not, but in my opinion, right now all the countries of the world, except for the US and Israel, are seeking to establish a ceasefire in Palestine. However, Washington, as a veto-holding power, has tied the hands of the international community in resolving this issue," Kanaani told Sputnik.

Tensions in the region have been escalating as a result of the Israeli-led genocide on Gaza.

Due to the West's complicity in "Israel's" war crimes, resistance groups all across the region have been waging attacks on Western elements, including US occupation bases in Syria and Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea.

The resistance in Yemen has especially triggered the West as their operations on commercial vessels have disrupted global chain supplies.

While Iran has so far refrained from any military intervention, many Western leaders have blamed Iran for these attacks.

Yesterday, Iran's deputy foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani rejected US claims that Iran is behind attacks on Israeli ships are false.

He said that "the resistance has its own tools... and acts in accordance with its own decisions and capabilities."

Earlier that day, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that Washington has previously requested that Iran advise Ansar Allah not to act against US and Israeli interests in the region.

During a conference in Tehran in support of Palestine, Amir-Abdollahian expressed that "We have made it clear to the Americans that these groups have decided, based on their interests, on how to support Gaza," adding that Iran refuses to advise them to stop the attacks.