Speaking at a joint press conference with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, in Tehran, Amir Abdollahian expressed his concerns about the deteriorating situation in West Asia, which he likened to a "powder keg" that could spiral out of control.

The Iranian diplomat pointed to the recent israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has seen thousands of bombs dropped and preparations for a possible ground invasion. He accused the zionist regime, acting as a proxy for the United States, of launching an onslaught on Gaza under the pretext of a war against the Palestinian group Hamas, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children.

Amir Abdollahian criticized the quick visit of U.S. President Joe Biden to Tel Aviv, characterizing it as a "bitter and unfortunate reality" that the American leader swiftly expressed support for Israel's actions against hospitals, mosques, churches, and residential areas. He also noted the stark contrast between the vast military support pledged by the U.S. for Israel's offensive and the limited aid efforts coordinated for Gaza.

The Iranian Foreign Minister warned that the ongoing situation in the region is highly volatile and emphasized that any further israeli actions, particularly those leading to "genocide and forced displacement of Gazans," could have severe consequences for West Asia and the interests of those advocating for war.

The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of conflict following an attack by Hamas fighters on October 7, which Israel states resulted in numerous casualties. The Israeli military campaign has led to significant loss of life and extensive damage in Gaza, prompting calls from international organizations for a humanitarian response. The United Nations has described the situation as "catastrophic" and called for increased international assistance to address the dire conditions in the densely populated enclave.

It is important to note that this statement reflects the perspective of the Iranian Foreign Minister and does not represent a consensus view of all parties involved in the conflict. (ILKHA)