Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a late Monday press conference following the conclusion of the second 3+3 regional platform meeting, dubbed “Time for Peace, Cooperation, and Progress in the South Caucasus.”
The platform was established to resolve the existing problems in the Caucasus through the inclusion of regional countries and the exclusion of extra-regional and Western states. Its first meeting was held in Moscow in December 2021 at the level of deputy foreign ministers and without the presence of Georgia.
“One of the important issues raised during today’s meeting was the issue of Palestine” and the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian said, noting that his Turkish and Russian counterparts had taken “strong positions in favor of cessation of the war.”
The top Iranian diplomat was referring to the devastating war that the Israeli regime has been waging against the besieged Gaza Strip since October 7, after the Gaza-based Palestinian Resistance groups staged Operation al-Aqsa Storm, a surprise attack into the occupied territories, in response to the Israeli regime’s intensified crimes against the Palestinian people.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the Zionists’ onslaught has so far killed over 5,000 Palestinians, including 2,055 children and 1,119 women, while more than 15,000 people have been injured.
“Unfortunately, the United States has been offering its one-sided and full support to the Zionist regime,” Amir-Abdollahian said, adding, “Today, the American security apparatus is managing” the Israeli regime’s war on Gaza.
“The administrative and political system in the occupied territories has completely fallen apart, but under the direct supervision of American military personnel, the regime’s war machine is trying to save the collapsed [Israeli] regime from crisis,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to American officials’ frequent visits to the occupied territories and their underway efforts to have the United Nations Security Council pass a resolution to portray the Israeli regime’s genocidal crimes as an instance of “self-defense.”
Amir-Abdollahian said he had brought up this issue with his Russian and Chinese counterparts during the Tehran meeting, noting, “All of our efforts are aimed at preventing a resolution from being issued against [the Resistance movements in] Palestine.”
Iran’s foreign minister then touched on the United States’ direct involvement in the Israeli war on Gaza and the Tel Aviv regime’s efforts to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching the coastal territory.
The occupying regime is trying to eliminate the Resistance from [political equations in] Gaza and they also seek forced displacement of the residents of Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian said.
He confirmed that American officials have been sending messages to all parties involved in Palestine’s developments, including Iran, adding, “Their messages contain two main points. Firstly, [they allege that] they are not interested in further spread of the war, and secondly, they call on Iran to show self-restraint.”
“Despite their claims [about being opposed to further spread of war], the Americans have been fanning the flames of war on Gaza during the past two weeks by sending thousands of arms consignments [to the Israeli regime] and supporting the regime,” Iran’s foreign minister said.
“Therefore, we warn all the countries that have been involved in the recent escalation [in Gaza], including the United States and the Zionist regime, to stop the massacre [of Palestinian people] before it is too late,” Amir-Abdollahian concluded.
MP/PressTV