Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that by blocking a UN Security Council resolution, the US has effectively granted Israel a licence to continue its military offensive in Gaza.
Amir-Abdollahian made the comment on Monday in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over bilateral and regional issues, including the latest developments related to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Iranian minister reiterated the need to immediately put an end to Israeli military actions, which he called “genocide,” as well as the need to transfer humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.
Lavrov, for his part, emphasised the urgency of continuing international efforts to achieve a ceasefire, increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and promote the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Over 18,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since the outbreak the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. Besides bombarding the Gaza Strip, Israel has also cut off water, electricity, fuel and medicine to the enclave, which is home to more than two million Palestinians.
The US vetoed the resolution on Friday, reaffirming its commitment to Israel, which has received more than 10,000 tonnes of military equipment since the Gaza offensive began.
