Europeans Must Cease Arms Sales to Israel: Iran’s FM

It is imperative for European governments to immediately stop selling weapons to the Israeli regime if they are truly seeking to end the war on Gaza and contribute to regional stability and sustainable security, the Iranian foreign minister told his Finnish counterpart.

News ID: ۸۳۷۹۶۴

22 April 2024

EghtesadOnline: In a telephone conversation on Sunday, Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen discussed the latest developments in the region and the Tehran-Helsinki relations.

Iran is not looking for tensions in the region, the Iranian foreign minister underscored, saying the root cause of crises in the region is the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression and crimes against Gaza.

He emphasized that establishing peace requires adopting a correct approach and avoiding the application of double standards and contradictory moves.

Amirabdollahian said everyone should try to stop the war in Gaza and in this regard, certain European governments should also immediately stop selling arms to the aggressor and the occupying Israeli regime that uses them to kill Palestinian women and children.

The Iranian foreign minister concluded that this would help restore stability and security in the region and stop the war on Gaza.

For her part, Valtonen said the continuation of tensions in the Middle East is not in the interest of anyone, adding that Finland condemns any action to increase tensions in the region.

The Finnish foreign minister said her country is very worried about the persistence of these tensions in the region, because this can increase the possibility of civilian casualties.

Stressing the region's need for peace, she pointed to concerns about the increase in the number of civilians killed in Gaza and the deplorable humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.

She also called for the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible and without any preconditions.

At least 34,097 Palestinians have been killed and 76,980 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023. / Tasnim