Iranian President Reiterates Tehran’s Continued Support for Palestine

"Until all Palestinians return to their homeland and achieve their absolute rights, this support will continue,” Rouhani told reporters on Tuesday ahead of his departure for Istanbul, Turkey, to take part in an extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the holy city of Quds (Jerusalem).                                       

The OIC meeting will focus on the Muslim world’s reaction to the US president’s recent move to recognize Quds as the capital of the Israeli regime.

The Iranian president noted that the Palestinian people’s unity and integrity in recent days proved that they can thwart the US and Zionist's plots.

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

He described Trump’s decision as “wrong”, noting that Quds belongs to all Muslims and would be the "capital of the Palestinian state."

The decision has drawn widespread international condemnation and sparked protests in the Palestinian territories.

Israel has occupied East Quds since the 1967 Middle East war. It annexed the area in 1980 and sees it as its exclusive domain. Under international law, the area is considered to be occupied territory.

Ankara had warned before Trump made his declaration on December 6 that any change in the status quo of the city would lead to a new catastrophe in the Middle East.

Erdogan has said that the OIC summit on Wednesday would convey the message that Washington should swiftly reverse its decision.