Muslim World Should Take Serious Action against US Quds Plan: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi decried the US government’s decision to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds (Jerusalem) in May and called on Muslim nations to take serious action against it.
“Our position on the issue of Palestine and the relocation of the (US embassy) is clear,” Qassemi told reporters during his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday.
He added that Tehran would hold talks and consultations with Islamic countries on the issue as much as it can.
“This is one of the very wrong policies of the US for which it will pay dearly in the future,” he said, adding, “Given the imprudence we see in US decisions, there is a need for a serious action in the Muslim world.”
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Friday said the United States is planning to open its embassy in Quds in May.
“We are excited about taking this historic step, and look forward with anticipation to the May opening,” she said.
Earlier, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said most embassy staff will remain in Tel Aviv.
“Come May, we’re moving the ambassador and a small team to Arnona,” the compound that currently houses the consular operations of the US Consulate General in Quds, the official said.
“What will happen by May, is a sign will be put up in Arnona identifying the facility as the US Embassy,” the official added.
Another US official, also requesting anonymity, added that a new embassy building will be later constructed in another location in Quds.
The State Department spokeswoman said the search for a permanent site had already begun.
US President Donald Trump on December 6 defied global warnings and said Washington formally recognized Quds as the capital of Israel and would begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy.
His decision infuriated the Palestinians, who declared that Washington could no longer play a role as lead mediator in the Middle East peace process. It also sparked outrage across the Muslim world and even Washington’s Arab allies.
The United Nations General Assembly on December 21 overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the US to withdraw its controversial recognition of Quds as the Israeli capital.
The 193-nation assembly adopted the resolution by a decisive vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions.
