Pars Today

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has denounced the recent "incorrect and illegal" decision by his American counterpart to recognize Bait al-Moqaddas as the usurper regime’s “capital,” saying the move would create new tension in the Middle East.

Rouhani made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Tehran on Tuesday ahead of his departure for Istanbul, Turkey, to attend an emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which is scheduled to be convened on Wednesday. The OIC is to be convened following US President Donald Trump's declaration of Bait al-Moqaddas (Jerusalem al-Quds) as Israel’s “capital" and his country's intention to move its embassy from Tel - Aviv to the holy city.

"If Muslims maintain their unity and integrity, it will be a big victory for Muslims and the region," Rouhani said.

The Iranian president added that Quds belongs to all Muslims and would be the "capital of the Palestinian state."

He emphasized that the Muslim world is resisting against the "wrong" US decision and warned of grave consequences and new tensions that Trump’s decision would have for the Middle East.

"Our message is that the Palestinian cause is the most important issue for Muslims and the Muslim world and Muslims must condemn this move in all international bodies, particularly the United Nations," Rouhani said.

President Rouhani reaffirmed Iran's strong support for the Palestinian people and said, "Until all Palestinians return to their homeland and achieve their absolute rights, this support will continue."

The Iranian president emphasized that unity, integrity and resistance of the Muslim Palestinian people in recent days proved that they can stand up against plots hatched by the arrogance and Zionists.

On December 6, Trump sparked international outrage by declaring that Washington was recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of the Zionist regime of Israel and that he had instructed his administration to begin the process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the ancient holy city.

The announcement prompted harsh international warnings that it would bring more chaos to the Middle East region. Several protests have been held in many countries over the past days against the US and the criminal entity called 'Israel'.

EA