Iranian FM Warns of Gaza War's Expansion in Talks with French Counterpart
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian cautioned during talks with France's Catherine Colonna that the ongoing situation in Gaza could escalate, including the possibility of a broader conflict.
The talks, held in Geneva, addressed concerns surrounding Israel's current invasion of the Gaza enclave.
"We had frank, clear and important talks with the French Foreign Minister and made it clear that 'you alongside America cannot only talk about the actions of Hamas'. And we said that, in our opinion, Hamas is a Palestinian liberation movement against the occupation," Amirabdollahian stated.
Expressing concern over the selective silence of certain Western nations, he emphasized, "While we have always condemned the killing of women and children everywhere in the world, the silence of the US and some Western countries regarding the killing of children and women in Palestine is unbearable."
Addressing the broader conversation with Colonna, he wrote in Persian on X, "In Geneva, we had a frank and important conversation with French Foreign Minister Colonna regarding the developments in Palestine, bilateral and consular issues, and the perspective of relations between Iran and France."
"We warned about the consequences of the continuation of war crimes in Gaza. The immediate cessation of genocide in Gaza, the sending of relief aid, and the exchange of civilian prisoners were also emphasized," Amirabdollahian highlighted.
Regarding the potential escalation, he cautioned, "We warned that if the situation continues, any possibility, including further expansion of the scope of the war, is envisaged."
Reportedly, the French foreign minister acknowledged the need to prevent further escalation, stating that Iran held a "heavy responsibility" in curbing the regional spread of the conflict. She also stressed the imperative nature of safeguarding civilians and ensuring access for humanitarian assistance.
Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise al-Aqsa Storm operation against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long suppression and devastation against Palestinians. According to the Gaza-based health ministry, Israel has killed 11,500 Palestinians, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and injured more than 32,000 others.
