The Islamic Republic’s political and military leadership pledged to support the Palestinians’ attack on Israel’s existence, until the Jewish state is erased.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed that Tehran’s strong support for the Palestinians would continue “until all Palestinians return to their homeland.”
“Until all Palestinians return to their homeland and achieve their absolute rights, this support will continue,” Rouhani told reporters on Tuesday ahead of his departure for Turkey to take part in an emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The OIC meeting will focus on the Muslim world’s reaction to Trump’s historic move.
Rouhani asserted that the Palestinians’ “unity and integrity in recent days proved that they can thwart the US and Zionists’ plots,” Iran’s Tasnim news reported.
“If Muslims maintain their unity and integrity, it will be a big victory for Muslims and the region,” Rouhani said.
He described Trump’s decision as “wrong,” claiming that Jerusalem belongs to all Muslims and would be the “capital of the Palestinian state.”
In the meantime, General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, has offered Iran’s “complete support” for Palestinians in their struggle against Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem.
In telephone conversations on Monday, Soleimani made the offer to the Palestinian commanders of Islamic Jihad and the Izz Al-Deen Qassam brigades, the armed wings of the Islamist terrorist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, Iran’s Sepah News reported.
Soleimani said all “resistance groups” in the region were prepared to defend the al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
The Quds Force is a division primarily responsible for extraterritorial military, terror and clandestine operations. Soleimani is believed to be responsible for multiple American deaths.
‘Hasten the Destruction of the Zionist Regime’
The Iranian army’s chief of staff, Mohammad Baqeri, said on Tuesday that Trump’s “foolish move” on Jerusalem could be the beginning of a “new greater intifada”.
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said the move will only “hasten the destruction of the Zionist regime and double the unity of Muslims.”
While Trump’s announcement has sparked protests by Muslims around the world, nothing of significance has occurred.
The Iranian parliament also issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Islamic states to cut ties with Israel and downgrade their economic dealings with the US.
In late August, Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar said his group had repaired relations with Iran after a five-year rift and is using its newfound financial and military aid to gear up for new hostilities against Israel.
Sinwar would not say how much aid Iran provides his group. Before the breakup, Iran provided an estimated $50 million a month to Hamas.
Sinwar stressed that the Iranian aid is for “rebuilding and accumulating” Hamas’ military powers for a larger fight against Israel that is meant to “liberate Palestine.”
“Thousands of people work every day to make rockets, (dig) tunnels and train frogmen,” he said. “The relationship with Iran is in this context.”
Iran was once the top backer of Hamas, an Islamic terror group that seeks Israel’s destruction.
By: United with Israel Staff
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