Iran’s Zarif: Al-Quds to Remain Arabic, Islamic
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif deplored the US administration’s move to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of the Israeli regime and said the holy city will remain as an “Arabic and Islamic” entity forever.
“If half of the money spent by some regional rulers to support terrorism, extremism, sectarianism, and incitement against neighbors had been spent on liberating Palestine, we would not have faced the US’ nonsense remarks and its efforts to sanctify and consolidate a promise from those who do not own to those who do not deserve (the Balfour Declaration),” Zarif said in an Arabic post on his Twitter account on Wednesday.
“However, whether they want it or not, al-Quds will remain Arabic and Islamic,” Zarif added in his tweet.
The Iranian top diplomat’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump officially declared the disputed city of al-Quds as Israel's capital, despite warnings from around the world that the measure risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East.
In a speech at the White House earlier in the day, Trump said his administration would also begin a years-long process of moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to the holy city.
The announcement was a major shift by Washington that overturns decades of US foreign policy.
Palestinian leaders had previously warned the move would threaten a two-state solution.
Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since the 1967 Middle East war. It annexed the area in 1980 and sees it as its exclusive domain. Under international law, the area is considered to be occupied territory.
