Israel’s actions in Gaza damaged West’s reputation: Iran’s supreme leader
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said that the Israeli regime’s “crimes” in the Gaza Strip have tarnished the reputation of the United States and the West, referring to the Palestinian Hamas Movement’s operation against Israel as “an act of de-Americanization.”
“The barbaric and ruthless action of the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza not only tarnished the regime's reputation but that of the US,” Iranian state media cited Khamenei as saying in a speech to thousands of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated paramilitary force Basij.
“It also tarnished the reputation of European countries, and the Western civilization and culture,” he added.
After the armed wing of the Hamas Movement launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, Israel declared war on the group, launching a brutal military offensive in the Gaza Strip and killing thousands of Palestinian civilians under the pretext of targeting Hamas bases.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Wednesday said that Tehran’s delegation will not be able to attend the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, set for Wednesday afternoon, blaming the US’ delay in issuing visas for Iranian diplomats.
Amir-Abdollahian stressed that all efforts are aimed at maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reaching a permanent truce, and releasing all prisoners and hostages on both sides.
A four-day truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning, bringing to a pause the war that has claimed the lives of over 13,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis since October 7. The ceasefire was extended for two additional days and is now set to expire on Thursday.
“The barbaric and ruthless action of the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza not only tarnished the regime's reputation but that of the US,” Iranian state media cited Khamenei as saying in a speech to thousands of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated paramilitary force Basij.
“It also tarnished the reputation of European countries, and the Western civilization and culture,” he added.
After the armed wing of the Hamas Movement launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, Israel declared war on the group, launching a brutal military offensive in the Gaza Strip and killing thousands of Palestinian civilians under the pretext of targeting Hamas bases.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Wednesday said that Tehran’s delegation will not be able to attend the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, set for Wednesday afternoon, blaming the US’ delay in issuing visas for Iranian diplomats.
Amir-Abdollahian stressed that all efforts are aimed at maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reaching a permanent truce, and releasing all prisoners and hostages on both sides.
A four-day truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning, bringing to a pause the war that has claimed the lives of over 13,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis since October 7. The ceasefire was extended for two additional days and is now set to expire on Thursday.