Iran's president: Muslim countries must stop massacre of Palestinians by Israel

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Muslim countries must take all necessary steps to mount pressure on the Zionist regime of Israel and prevent further massacre of Palestinians.

Rouhani made the remarks in a Monday phone call to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in reference to the recent bloody attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip by the Israeli regime, which have left 27 Palestinians dead and scores wounded.

Tensions erupted on Friday following the killing of four Palestinians, two in an Israeli air raid on southern Gaza and two during the regime’s live fire at anti-occupation protesters near a fence separating the blockaded coastal enclave from the occupied territories.

The Israeli military claimed that its initial aerial assault had come in response to the wounding of two of its soldiers by Palestinian gunfire near the Gaza fence.

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The tiny coastal enclave is experiencing a new flare-up of violence due to repeated Israeli airstrikes. Palestinian fighters have retaliated by firing a barrage of rockets into occupied territories.

“It is necessary for the Islamic countries to prevent massacre of innocent Palestinians through their unity and mounting pressure on the Zionist regime,” Iran's president said in his phone call to the Qatari emir.

Rouhani also expressed concern about the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially on the eve of the fasting month of Ramadan.

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A selection of photos from Gaza under Israeli attacks.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran's chief executive referred to re-imposition of unilateral sanctions by the United States on Iran, noting that the main goal of US restrictions on Iran's oil imports was to create instability in the region.

Rouhani also expressed hope that political cooperation among friendly countries would help maintain stability and security in the sensitive Persian Gulf region.

US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- in July 2015. He also decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

The US administration also said in a statement on April 22 that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, buyers of Iranian oil must stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. The move ended six months of waivers, which allowed Iran’s eight biggest buyers -- Turkey, China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to continue importing limited volumes.

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The White House says US President Donald Trump will not reissue waivers for Iran's oil imports.

Noting that Iran welcomes any measures taken to restore calm and tranquility to the region, Rouhani expressed hope that regional problems would be solved through dialogue.

The Qatari emir, for his part, noted that Doha had frequently told Washington and regional states that differences must be resolved through dialogue and that Qatar is opposed to any measure that would foment insecurity in the region.

Al Thani emphasized that Qatar will spare no effort to restore calm to Gaza while condemning measures taken against Palestinians by the Zionist regime.

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