LATEST: Head of Qods Force Calls on Palestinians to Make Lives of Israelis “Living Hell”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has declared that the US is a major violator of religious rights around the world and is in no position to judge other countries on freedom of religion.
The Ministry hit back on Wednesday at a US State Department report on religious freedom that listed the Islamic Republic among “countries of particular concern”.
“The growing trend of Islamophobia in the US, systematic discrimination against Muslims and restricting freedom of religious minorities in the American community have turned the country into one of the major violators of religious rights,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said.
She continued:
The US’ all-out support for the Zionist regime’s acts and (its) unbelievable restrictions on the followers of other Abrahamic religions residing in the occupied Palestinian territories — especially all-out backing for the acts of aggression and crimes of the occupying regime in Gaza — have not left any credit for the US government to judge and advise others on religious rights and freedoms.
The State Department’s report asserted, “The government severely restricted religious freedom, and there were reports of imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious beliefs.” It cited intimidation of members of the Baha’i sect, including detention, and “a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shia religious groups.”
Afkham responded, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s constitution clearly respects all the divine religions and considers them free to observe their rituals and ceremonies.”
Head of Qods Force Calls on Palestinians to Make Lives of Israelis “Living Hell”
The head of Iran’s elite Qods Force, General Qassem Soleimani has called on Palestinians to make the lives of Israelis a “living hell” with their resistance to Israel’s attack on Gaza.
Talking to the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, Soleimani said it is an “honor and duty for every proud Muslim to be martyred” to liberate Palestine: “Backing the Palestinian resistance at this very decisive moment can differentiate those who had good and genuine intentions from those politicians who just pretend to support Gaza and its people.”
