Iran calls on Muslim countries to temporarily "cut ties" with Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: AP).

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on November 19 called on Muslim countries with political ties to Israel to at least "cut ties" with Tel Aviv "for a limited period of time."

"Some Muslim governments have condemned Israel's actions while some have not. This is unacceptable," Khamenei said, saying the main task of Muslim governments is to cut off Israel's energy and goods.

“Muslim governments should at least sever political ties with Israel for a limited period of time,” Khamenei added.

Earlier, at a joint summit between members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in the capital of Saudi Arabia on November 11, Muslim countries did not agree to impose wide-ranging sanctions on Israel, as proposed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Earlier this month, Mr. Khamenei called on Muslim countries to "stop oil and food exports" to Israel, in order to put pressure on Tel Aviv.

In mid-October, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made a similar call, asking Muslim countries to impose an "immediate and comprehensive" oil embargo on Israel.

Iran has repeatedly warned Israel of "catastrophic consequences" if attacks continue in the Gaza Strip.

Militants from the Iran-backed Hamas militant group launched a barrage of rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip early on October 7. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, most of them civilians in Gaza.

Iran, which does not recognize Israel and has made support for Palestine a central part of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was among the first countries to praise Hamas' attack.

The US has sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Mediterranean, seeking to pressure Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah and other pro-Palestinian forces to stay out of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Israel-Hamas war is still fierce and the prospect of a ceasefire remains unclear as the two sides put forward different conditions.

Meanwhile, the commander of Iran's special forces announced on November 16 that the force will do everything necessary to support Hamas in the conflict with Israel in Gaza.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/iran-keu-goi-cac-nuoc-hoi-giao-tam-cat-dut-quan-he-voi-israel-20231119202018420.htm