“We condemn weaponizing food and medicine through sanctions,” Zahra Ershadi, Iran’s Ambassador and deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, told the New York-based council.

Following is the text of her remarks.

For well over 10 years, the Syrian people have been suffering seriously from the conflict, and in recent years, the economy has been further deteriorated mostly due to unilateral sanctions, negatively impacting also the humanitarian aid delivery to the people in need.

As a country subjected to unjust unilateral sanctions for decades, we condemn weaponizing food and medicine through sanctions, as they are irresponsible, immoral and unlawful and in the context of Syria, only prolong the sufferings of people, delay the return of refugees and displaced persons and hamper reconstruction efforts.

Therefore, complete removal of unilateral sanctions must be a substantive element of any discussion on the humanitarian aspect of the Syrian conflict.

While under the current circumstances, the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syria is essential, this however must be based on the principles of full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Syria, which has been reaffirmed by the Council in all its resolutions.

We also recall other guiding principles of humanitarian assistance as reaffirmed in numerous resolutions of the General Assembly, according to which the “humanitarian assistance should be provided with the consent of the affected country and in principle on the basis of an appeal by the affected country.”

Likewise, according to such principles, “the affected State has the primary role in the initiation, organization, coordination, and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory.”

Taking into account such guiding principles, we share the views that the cross-border aid delivery mechanism has been an exceptional temporary measure imposed by certain circumstances, which no longer exist, and accordingly, now the aid to the people in need must be delivered in cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government and from within the Syrian territories. This can, inter alia, ensure that aids are not diverted to terrorist groups.

The full cooperation of the Syrian Government with the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations active in cross-line aid delivery in Syria proves that this is a reliable method and in line with international law.

We once again call for depoliticization of the humanitarian file of Syria in the Council. The international community must focus on those humanitarian measures in Syria that can actually and quickly alleviate the sufferings of the people in need, provide the conditions for the soonest return of refugees and displaced persons and contribute to the long-term stability of this country.

Reiterating our commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis and the restoration of the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, we call for an end to the occupation of parts of its territory, withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from that country, cessation of support for any separatist tendencies or illegitimate self-rule initiatives, and prevention of the violation of Syrian sovereignty particularly by acts of aggression of the Israeli regime, which Iran condemns strongly.

We will continue our efforts in assisting the people and Government of Syria to overcome the enormous challenges they face.

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Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh, Iran’s permanent ambassador to the UN office in Geneva, made the remarks on Thursday during a special United Nations Human Rights Council session. The gathering had been formed to address “the grave human rights situation” in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

The regional turmoil would bubble up, while the “criminals” keep avoiding accountability because of this impunity and the occupation of Palestine sustains as a result of “compromise or silence,” Hamaneh said, according to Press TV.

Instead, the diplomat suggested, administering justice and pressing the Israeli regime to answer for its crimes against the Palestinians should turn into and urgent demand of the international community.

Professor Mahmood Monshipouri, who teaches Middle Eastern Politics at San Francisco State University and UC-Berkeley, says, “The Biden administration will squander a great opportunity should it choose to condone or abet the Israeli confiscation of Palestinian territories.”

Monshipouri warns, “If the two-state solution is given a low-key status, or pursued lackadaisically, the fragile ceasefire between the two sides will be short-lived and both parties will be back to square one in the not-too distant future.”

 ‘Israel’s backers should be accountable too’

Hamaneh said the Israeli regime’s supporters, who try to justify its savagery under the pretext that it should be able to “defend itself”, must also be held to account for emboldening Tel Aviv and obstructing justice.

He reiterated the Islamic Republic’s position that “the only sustainable” way out of the crisis is holding a referendum among all Palestine’s residents including those Palestinians who have been displaced because of occupation and aggression.

Such a vote would enable Palestinians to exercise “their right to self-determination,” he pointed out.

The session followed after the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, violence against Palestinian worshippers and protesters across the occupied West Bank, including the holy city of al-Quds, that killed scores of Palestinians.

The regime then ramped up its attacks against the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip that had risen up in protest against the escalation, killing more than 250 others there too. More than 60 children were among those killed as a result of the Israeli bombardment of the coastal city.

UN says Israel’s Gaza strikes may constitute ‘war crimes’

United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has said Israel’s recent attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip may constitute “war crimes” if they are shown to be disproportionate.

Bachelet’s comments on Thursday came as she opened a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, called at the request of Pakistan – on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – and Palestine.

According to al Jazeera, the UN official said she had seen no evidence that civilian buildings in Gaza hit by Israeli fighter jets were being used for military purposes.

“If found disproportionate, such attacks might constitute war crimes,” Bachelet told the 47-member Geneva forum. She also urged Hamas, which runs Gaza, to refrain from firing rockets indiscriminately on Israeli territory.

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The foreign minister also expressed satisfaction that Azerbaijan took back its territories and expressed the readiness of the Islamic Republic to help Azeri people return to their places of residence.

Zarif, heading a high-ranking delegation, started a four-country Eurasian tour on Sunday to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey.

During his stay in Baku, he will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev during his visit.

The Karabakh issue will be the main topic of discussion during the visit. They will exchange views on new cooperation in the region after the Karabakh conflict.

“In addition, we will discuss issues related to transit and the North-South and North-West corridors with Azeri officials,” he said at Baku airport.

Zarif will then depart for the other three countries to meet and hold talks with his counterparts and other officials of these countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that the Iranian foreign minister will pay a visit to Moscow on January 26 to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

She added that the two foreign ministers are expected to continue exchanging views on international issues including the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh region and also the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as well as the situation in Syria, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf region.

Zarif said that the dates of his trips to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, and Georgia have already been set and he was waiting for the result of his Covid-19 test.

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They also hit out at Western countries’ double standards on Syria’s humanitarian issues and the West’s efforts to impede the holding of the conference.

During the talks, Assad praised Iran’s support for the Syrian government and people, saying the conference can be a good basis for the continuation of humanitarian efforts, starting the reconstruction process and bringing security and welfare for Syrian people.

The Iranian official, in turn, described the conference as a good start for easing the sufferings of Syrian refugees, confidence-building and the establishment of peace and security in Syria.

“Iranian diplomat meets Syrian president in Damascus”

He stressed the significance of resolving the Syria crisis through political means, urging the Syrian Constitutional Committee to press ahead with its activities.

Khaji noted that the moves by the committee can play a positive role in establishing peace and stability in Syria.

Heading a delegation, the top Iranian official is in Syria to hold consultations with Damascus authorities and attend the international conference.

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In an interview with the Hamshahri newspaper published on Saturday, Ali Asqar Khaji, who attended nuclear talks with American negotiators in Oman during Barack Obama’s administration, expressed the hope that the historic pact, also referred to as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would be saved from U.S. pressure and becomes a successful diplomatic experience in the world.

The JCPOA was a necessity for Iran and the other side, and it took a lot of energy in order to bring all sides together to achieve a win-win game, Khaji stated.

“The reality is that America played an essential role in [achieving] BARJAM (Persian acronym for the JCPOA), but the new U.S. administration’s withdrawal from BARJAM created a problem which cannot be denied,” he said. “But the question is whether BARJAM can survive without America.”

The former diplomat further explained that saving the deal would be difficult for Europe because its economy is mostly controlled by the private sector, which can be pressured by the U.S. into pulling out of Iran’s market.

However, he said he hopes Europe, China and Russia cooperate and provide Iran with a package that secures Iran’s interests, so that Iran would be able to pass through such difficult times.

Khaji also pointed to the Trump administration’s hostile stance against Iran, saying, “I do not see any sort of good-will in the current U.S. administration to resolve the issue, unless Iran gives up everything and surrenders, which we will never do.”

“So, I’m not optimistic about talks,” he added.

Khaji who has served as different posts at the foreign ministry also said the Trump administration is “unpredictable” and his call for dialogue with Iran “is not real”.

“Today I understand that Trump’s slogan for negotiation is not real,” he remarked.

He also said if “we do not understand the difference between Obama and Trump we cannot live in this world. There is difference between John Kerry and Pompeo”.

Khaji also said though Iran does not trust the U.S., officials in Tehran are so wise “not to close eyes on opportunities” if there would be a chance which would meet national interests.

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“For far too long, Saudi Arabia has been shielded from criticism of its breeding of terrorism and grotesque human rights violations. Now, it appears that even Saudi critics are murdered – in broad daylight, and abroad. Is the West finally ready to do away with double standards?” he tweeted on Thursday.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the current Saudi government and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain a document certifying he divorced his ex-wife and has not been seen since.

Turkish sources have told media outlets they believe he was killed inside the consulate.

A source familiar with the ongoing investigation told CNN that Turkish authorities have audio and visual evidence that shows journalist Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

The source, who was briefed by a Western intelligence agency, says the evidence showed there had been an assault and a struggle inside the consulate. There is also evidence of the moment that Khashoggi was killed, the source said.

The foreign intelligence service was shocked by the nature of the evidence, provided in a briefing from Turkish officials, the source told CNN.

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