TEHRAN (Dispatches) – The Iranian defense minister has denounced the recent "provocative and unwise" decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize al-Quds as the Zionist regime’s "capital," saying the United States and the occupying regime are responsible for any further tension and bloodshed in the Middle East.
Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Monday that Trump's bid was a serious plot aimed at violating rights of the Palestinian people.
"This move will hasten the destruction of the Zionist regime and will double unity among Muslims," he added.
The U.S. president on Wednesday defied global warnings and said Washington formally recognized al-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.
The announcement prompted harsh international warnings that it would bring more chaos to the Middle East region. Several protests have been held in many countries over the past days against the U.S. and the regime.
Hatami warned that after its defeat in Syria and Iraq, the global arrogance seeks new plots and adventurism against other countries in the region and said the Zionist regime knows that such "illegitimate moves" by the U.S. government would make no change in the status of al-Quds.
The Iranian defense minister added that the occupiers would never enjoy peace and would have no option but to "leave" the region.
He emphasized that the Islamic Republic's policy has always been based on support for the oppressed Palestinian people and regional stability and security as well as the condemnation of "divisive and unilateral" measures by the U.S. and the regime.
Hatami's remarks came a day after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned that his American counterpart's decision added fuel to tensions in the Middle East.
"The regional situation is such that one should not fan the flames and the US president's recent decision to move the country's embassy to al-Quds was an incorrect decision and was [like] pouring gasoline on the flames in the region," Rouhani said on Sunday.
The entire Jerusalem al-Quds is currently under Israel’s control, while the regime also claims the city’s eastern part, which hosts the third holiest Muslim site.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said the U.S. decision would spark off a major intifada and result in auspicious events.
Addressing a conference in Tehran on Monday, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri described the U.S. president’s move as the factor triggering a big intifada (uprising) in Palestine.
"This wrong decision (by U.S. President Donald Trump) will initiate auspicious events,” the Iranian general added.