Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, has pointed to the Israeli regime's continuous aggression and crimes against Palestinians in Gaza as the primary driver behind the ongoing crisis in the West Asia region.
Amir-Abdollahian made these remarks during a phone conversation with Finland's Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen, on Sunday. The discussion covered recent developments in bilateral relations and the current situation in West Asia.
Highlighting the Zionist regime's acts of aggression in Gaza, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran's commitment to regional peace, stating, "The root cause of the crisis in West Asia lies in the Zionist regime's aggression and crimes in Gaza."
He further called for a unified and consistent approach from all parties involved to establish peace in the region, urging European governments to halt arms sales to Israel. According to Amir-Abdollahian, these weapons are used to target Palestinian civilians, including women and children, exacerbating instability and insecurity in the area.
The Iranian Foreign Minister's comments come in the wake of Israel's extensive military campaign in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Palestinian resistance groups named Operation al-Aqsa Storm. The onslaught has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with nearly 77,000 others injured and more than 1.7 million internally displaced.
In response to the devastating civilian toll in Gaza, Valtonen expressed Finland's concerns over escalating tensions in the region. She condemned any actions that could further exacerbate the situation and emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire without preconditions as a top priority for her country.
