Tehran: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has called on regional and Islamic countries to sever economic and political ties with Israel, describing the regime as occupying, genocidal, and terrorist. Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Wednesday, Baghaei said that normalization of relations with Israel equates to legitimizing crimes and aggression.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baghaei noted that the global tide is shifting, with several countries-both within and beyond the Islamic world-already cutting trade and diplomatic relations with Israel. He pointed to the Arab-Islamic emergency summit held in Doha as evidence of shared concern among Islamic nations and reiterated Iran’s support for forming a regional bloc-referred to as an ‘Islamic NATO’-to counter perceived threats to peace and security. Baghaei said that Israel is violating multiple international norms, including the UN Charter, noting that the regime has launched military attacks on up to ten countries in recent months.
On aid flotillas heading to Gaza in an effort to break the Israeli siege, Baghaei said that the initiative reflects global outrage at the inaction and indifference of international organizations on what is going on in the Palestinian territory. He urged individuals worldwide to recognize their moral responsibility in opposing the crime of the century. He emphasized that these efforts are not merely symbolic but part of a broader awakening aimed at pressuring global leaders to act against the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
Baghaei also accused the United States of being directly complicit in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, noting that Israel’s ground offensive launched in Gaza City on Tuesday coincided with the US Secretary of State’s visit to the region, which along with other issues shows Washington’s complicity. He referenced findings from a UN Human Rights Council commission, which concluded that the events in Gaza meet the criteria for genocide under international law.
Baghaei announced that several visas have been issued for members of Iran’s delegation to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, despite persistent obstruction by the United States. Responding to a question from IRNA regarding Washington’s delays and restrictions, Baghaei said that the limitations on Iranian representatives are not new, but this particular instance is nearly unprecedented. He criticized the U.S. for violating its obligations as host country to the UN headquarters, saying the restrictions further undermine the US’s credibility in its role.
In his remarks, Baghaei condemned US military maneuvers as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, stressing that the Venezuelan people must be free to determine their own system of governance without foreign interference. He denounced attacks on Venezuelan fishermen as acts of aggression and reaffirmed Iran’s solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people. Baghaei concluded that Iran supports the Venezuelan nation’s legitimate right to self-determination.