TEHRAN, Jan 25 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said, the United States and Britain had made a “strategic mistake” by attacking the Yemen-based Houthis, a move that he said could expand the scope of the conflicts and heighten tensions in the region.
He made the remarks in a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in New York on Tuesday, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website, yesterday.
He emphasised Iran’s stance on maintaining shipping and maritime security in the Red Sea, stressing that, the Houthis aimed to put an end to Israel’s “crimes” of the killing of civilians in Gaza, by stopping the Israel-bound ships.
While praising the UN chief for his efforts and positions to end the killings of “innocent and defenseless” people in the Palestinian coastal enclave, Amir-Abdollahian also highlighted the necessity to stop the Israeli attacks against Palestinians, and facilitate, through consultations, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Guterres, for his part, condemned the war in Gaza and called for ending the conflict and sending aid to the war-torn region, stressing the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
He said, it was impossible to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, without achieving a ceasefire first.
The UN chief pointed to the Red Sea developments, expressing concern about the expansion of the conflicts in the region.
Guterres said, Iran had an important role to play in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Starting on Jan 11, the U.S. and Britain had launched several rounds of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, in response to the Houthis’ attacks on Israel-bound and -affiliated ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis say, their attacks are aimed at stopping the ongoing Israeli strikes against Gaza and showing solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel has been fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. Israel has so far killed over 25,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry.– NNN-IRNA
