US, Israel responsible for bloodshed, tensions in Middle East: Iran defense minister
The Iranian defense minister has denounced the recent "provocative and unwise" decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital," saying the United States and Israeli regime are responsible for any further tension and bloodshed in the Middle East.
Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Monday that Trump's bid was a serious plot aimed at violating rights of the Palestinian people.
"This move will hasten the destruction of the Zionist regime [Israel] and will double unity among Muslims," he added.
The US president on Wednesday defied global warnings and said Washington formally recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and would begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy.
The announcement prompted harsh international warnings that it would bring more chaos to the Middle East region. Several protests have been held in many countries over the past days against the US and Israel.
Hatami warned that after its defeat in Syria and Iraq, the global arrogance seeks new plots and adventurism against other countries in the region and said the Israeli regime knows that such "illegitimate moves" by the US government would make no change in the status of al-Quds.
The Iranian defense minister added that the occupiers would never enjoy peace and would have no option but to "leave" the region.
He emphasized that the Islamic Republic's policy has always been based on support for the oppressed Palestinian people and regional stability and security as well as the condemnation of "divisive and unilateral" measures by the US and Israeli regime.
Hatami's remarks came a day after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned that his American counterpart's decision added fuel to tensions in the Middle East.
"The regional situation is such that one should not fan the flames and the US president's recent decision to move the country's embassy to al-Quds was an incorrect decision and was [like] pouring gasoline on the flames in the region," Rouhani said on Sunday.
The entire Jerusalem al-Quds is currently under Israel’s control, while the regime also claims the city’s eastern part, which hosts the third holiest Muslim site.
The city has been designated as “occupied” under international law since the 1967 Arab War, which Palestinians want as the capital of their future state.
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