Iran condemns Israeli PM's remarks on Golan Heights and rejects Colombian recognition

In a statement released on Thursday, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Golan Heights and the rejection of an independent Palestinian state. The ministry also condemned Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, calling it a violation of the UN Charter and international law.

The statement, issued by the ministry, said: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the rhetoric of the criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime regarding the permanent belonging of the Golan Heights of Syria to this regime, as well as the rejection of an independent Palestinian state." It added that the leader of the "criminal and mafia gang" ruling over the occupied land of Palestine is not in a position to comment on the formation of an independent Palestinian state, because the land belongs to the Palestinian people, and "the racist delusions of the genocidal Zionist regime cannot change this reality."

The statement further emphasized that the Golan Heights are an inseparable part of Syrian territory, and the colonial ambitions of a usurping and occupying entity cannot alter its legal and historical realities. Regarding Colombia's recent action, the ministry said it is "completely rejected and condemned" and constitutes a clear violation of fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law concerning respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. It also noted that such recognition conflicts with the principle of international law prohibiting the recognition of effects arising from unlawful acts, and entails the international responsibility of the Colombian government.

The ministry called on all states, particularly Islamic countries, to uphold their legal, moral, and humanitarian commitment to help the Palestinian people achieve self-determination and liberation from occupation, apartheid, and colonialism. It also reminded the UN Security Council of its responsibility to stop the occupation and continued aggression of the Zionist regime against occupied Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and other countries in the region.

The statement described the issue of Palestine as the most important humanitarian and moral issue of the contemporary world, which began in 1948 with the establishment of a fabricated entity in the historic land of Palestine and, through its expansion, has caused insecurity across the region and the world. It asserted that comprehensive support from the United States and some Western countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and Canada, has been the main factor behind the regime's impunity and has led to the continuation and intensification of its expansionism and crimes in the region.

According to Mehr News Agency, the full text of the statement was released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.