Iranian president calls for ceasefire in Gaza and end to apartheid

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a cessation of the Israeli occupation and apartheid in Palestine and immediate implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where the regime has been waging a genocidal war for more than 11 months.

He made the remarks, addressing the “Strengthening the United Nations Goals” session held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

“Cessation of the Israeli occupation and apartheid in Palestine and immediate ceasefire in Gaza are preconditions for international development and peace,” he said.

“In a world where civilians are being killed ruthlessly in Gaza, blind state terrorism sheds the blood of children and women, and genocide and assassination is being supported, conclusion of no document would serve to guarantee peace and development,” the Iranian president said.

Focusing on the role of the United Nations as a symbol of multilateralism, Pezeshkian emphasized the need for concerted efforts to tackle global challenges such as war, discrimination, poverty, and hunger.

Pezeshkian's call for a ceasefire came after Israel unleashed an intense wave of air strikes against Hezbollah, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon in nearly a year of conflict between Israel and the  Hezbollah group.

The Iranian president, meanwhile, addressed the issue of the unilateral sanctions that have been imposed on the Islamic Republic and some other countries on the part of the United States and its allies.

“Unilateral sanctions stop realization of sustainable development goals,” he said, adding, “This fact has to be included in whatever document that is being prepared for the future.”

Pezeshkian proposed that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres present the world body’s General Assembly with a comprehensive report on the issue of the sanctions that is compiled in cooperation with the countries that have been subjected to the economic measures.