Iran urges the U.S. to stop supporting Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, condemning violence.
Speaking at a joint Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Saudi Arabia, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, demanded an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. He argued that the world expects Donald Trump’s incoming U.S. administration to immediately halt these conflicts.
Aref condemned the U.S. as the primary backer of what he called “Zionist regime” actions, urging the new administration to prevent further harm to civilians in the region. He described recent targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as organized terrorism, noting Israel’s September assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut, as well as former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.
According to Aref, Israel’s operations, framed as “targeted killings,” are unlawful acts of organized terrorism, targeting Palestinian and regional leaders. He decried these attacks as lawless, arguing they inflict widespread violence and undermine stability across the region.
Will Trump’s administration respond to these demands?
The new U.S. administration has yet to address Iran’s specific demands at the summit. However, Iran’s call for American restraint may test U.S.-Israel relations and influence broader regional strategies under Trump’s presidency.
