Iran’s Velayati Calls UN Quds Vote ‘A Big No’ to US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said a recent United Nations vote that called on the US to withdraw its decision to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel was “a big no” to Washington.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Velayati pointed to US President Donald Trump’s threats to cut off financial aid to countries that voted in favor of the UN resolution on Quds and said, “The resolution was a big no to the US.”
The majority of the world’s countries are opposed to the US decision to recognize Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital despite the US threats, he added.
After the names of the countries that opposed the UN General Assembly resolution was announced, the Americans lost their “little reputation” left, Velayati said, adding that it was a new debacle for them.
More than 100 countries defied Trump on Thursday and voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to withdraw its decision to recognize Quds as Israel’s capital.
Trump announced the decision in a speech at the White House on December 6, despite warnings from around the world that the measure risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East.
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.
