Iran accuses US of 'encouraging' Israel to kill Palestinians in brutal Gaza war
Iran accuses US of 'encouraging' Israel to kill Palestinians in brutal Gaza war
Iran's president has slammed the US for its support of Israel, accusing Washington of 'encouraging' its ally to kill Palestinians by providing it with weapons and financial aid.
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Iran has criticised both the US and Israel for the war in Gaza, which has now killed over 10,000 people [Getty]
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday accused the United States of "encouraging" Israel to kill and carry out "cruel acts" against Palestinians in the war-hit Gaza Strip.
Israel began a ferocious bombing of Gaza almost a month ago that has killed more than 10,000 people, and imposed a complete siege of the territory that has cut off water, food and fuel supplies.
The Israeli military has also bombed hospitals, residential buildings and religious sites where many have sought refuge.
"The aid from the United States to the Zionist regime (Israel) is encouraging them to kill and commit cruel acts of neglect against the Palestinian people," Raisi said at a joint news conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
"We believe that the bombings must stop as soon as possible, that a ceasefire must be declared immediately, and that aid be provided to the oppressed and proud people of Gaza," Raisi said.
"These horrible crimes against humanity are a genocide, which is carried out by the Zionist regime (Israel) with the support of the United States and certain European countries."
Sudani's visit to Iran comes a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise stop in Baghdad on his diplomatic tour of the Middle East to meet with the Iraqi premier.
In Baghdad, Blinken slammed "attacks or threats" against US troops in Iraq and Syria by militias that the United States says have ties to Iran.
Since the start of Israel's bombing campaign, rocket and drone attacks have targeted military bases hosting US forces in Iraq, in what is likely a response to Washington's support for Tel Aviv.
Neither Iraq nor Iran recognise the state of Israel. Iran has also engaged in a "shadow war" with Israel over the years, accusing Tel Aviv of carrying out attacks on nuclear sites.
On 25 October, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the US was an "undeniable accomplice" of Israel's assault on Gaza.
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