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09-02-2026
TEHRAN/ GAZA STRIP: Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and its geopolitical fallout reverberating across the Middle East and beyond have dominated the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha.
Senior political figures and officials warned on Saturday that the conflict is accelerating the collapse of international norms, reshaping regional power balances, but also noted it has pushed the Palestinian cause back to the centre of global diplomacy.
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi, fresh from indirect talks in Oman with the United States, described the Palestinian issue as the central strategic question shaping the future of the Middle East, warning that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and regional posture are undermining the global legal order.
He said the Palestinian struggle is “the defining question of justice in West Asia and beyond” and “the strategic and moral compass of our region”.
Condemning the war, Araghchi stated: “What we are witnessing in Gaza is not merely war… It is the deliberate destruction of civilian life on a massive scale. It is genocide.” He added that the violence has “wounded the conscience of humanity” and exposed the inability of global powers to prevent attacks on civilians.
Araghchi warned that the consequences extend far beyond the Palestinian territories. “We are witnessing not only the tragedy of Palestine, but the transformation of the world into a place where the law is replaced by force,” he said, adding that impunity for attacks on civilians risks normalizing military domination as a guiding principle of international relations.
He also described Israel’s policies as part of a broader Israeli regional strategy, saying the “expansionist project” aims to weaken neighboring states and enforce “permanent inequality” across the region while allowing Israel to expand its arsenal without meaningful oversight.
Israel carried out attacks on six countries in 2025: Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Qatar and Iran. It also carried out strikes in Tunisian, Maltese and Greek territorial waters on aid flotillas heading for Gaza.
Calling for coordinated international action, Iran’s top diplomat urged governments to impose “comprehensive and targeted sanctions against Israel, including an immediate arms embargo,” alongside the suspension of military and intelligence cooperation, and legal accountability for violations of international law.
He stressed that the Palestinian issue is “not only a humanitarian issue … It is a strategic issue,” arguing that regional stability depends on ending occupation and building a system grounded in sovereignty and equality.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic exclusively after the forum about talks with the US, Araghchi said the sides have agreed to hold a second round of talks, but the date is not set yet.
However, he said Tehran and Washington believe it must be held “soon.”
When asked about the possibility of the war with the US, he said the possibility always exists, but Iran is ready for both peace and war.
One of his critical statements was a reassurance to the region. Araghchi said Tehran was telling the Americans and countries in the region that Iran would only target US forces stationed in the region in case of a US attack, not the countries themselves.
“We will not attack neighboring countries; rather, we will target US bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two.”
Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer said in his opening speech that Israel’s assault has become a turning point for the Palestinian issue, warning that the occupation is attempting to permanently alter realities on the ground. (Al-Jazeera)
