Iran Condemns US Veto of UNSC Resolution against Trump’s Decision on Quds

In a statement released late on Monday, Qassemi said by vetoing the resolution, which was backed by 14 other member states of the UNSC, the US once again proved that it is taking steps in line with the interests of the Zionist regime of Israel and is seeking to violate the legitimate rights of all Palestinians.

“Despite efforts made by the Islamic countries and the resolution proposed by Egypt, as the only Arab country in the UNSC and given the US’s hostile and racist policy to unilaterally support the occupiers of the holy Quds (Israel), there was no doubt that the US would disrupt and oppose to any plan that hampers the progress of the recent decision of the country,” he noted.

“We once again stress that the US decision to recognize this city (Quds) as the capital of the occupying regime is a flagrant violation of international resolutions,” the spokesman said.

He added that Iran calls on the international community and all the countries in the world to prevent the US from implementing its plan on Quds to preserve international peace and security.

Fourteen members of the 15-member council voted on Monday in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically name the US or Trump but expressed “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem,” while US Ambassador Nikki Haley wielded Washington’s veto against the call.

Washington’s key allies, the UK, Italy, France, Ukraine and Japan were all among the 14 countries that voted in favor of the measure, which asserted that “any decisions and actions, which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem (al-Quds) have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”

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 December 6, 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.