Iran’s Larijani Slams US ‘Unwise’ Decision on Quds
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani denounced a recent move by US President Donald Trump to recognize the holy city of al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of the Israeli regime as “unwise” and said it hurt the feelings of all Muslims around the world.
Speaking at an open session of the parliament on Sunday, Larijani pointed to the latest developments in the region and world and said, “None of the recent regional developments has hurt the hearts of Muslims as much as the US president's clumsy move to order the relocation of the country’s embassy to Quds.”
“Even the countries having friendly ties with the US have decried this inappropriate and unwise act,” he added.
The parliamentarian went on to say that while former US presidents had refused to show such an inappropriate behavior, the current president recklessly made the move after contacting the leaders of some Arab countries.
There are reports that the move to declare Quds the capital of the Israeli regime had been coordinated with some Arab states seeking to normalize ties with Israel and consign the Palestinian issue to oblivion, Larijani stated.
Trump officially declared the disputed city of al-Quds 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 on Wednesday, 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 Quds 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.