Iranian Supreme Leader Calls for Halt to Oil and Food Exports to Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, has urged Muslim states to halt their oil and food exports to Israel, while calling for an immediate end to the bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Speaking on Wednesday, Khamenei emphasized the need for the bombings to cease and the cessation of oil and food exports to Israel, as reported by Iranian state media.

Khamenei pointed out the global support for the people of Gaza, with pro-Palestinian protests taking place in countries such as the UK, France, Italy, and the US. He noted that public sentiment has turned against Israel and the United States, making it difficult for them to justify the attacks.

Additionally, Khamenei emphasized that it wasn't just the Zionist regime but also the US, France, and the UK that opposed the oppressed people of Gaza. He cited the thousands of casualties resulting from the ongoing conflict.

Israel, in response, has vowed to eliminate Hamas, the group ruling Gaza with Iranian support, following a significant attack that led to numerous casualties and captives. Israel has launched an extensive bombardment and imposed a siege on Gaza, resulting in a high number of casualties, according to Palestinian authorities.

Iran's clerical leaders have warned of an escalation if Israel does not cease its aggression against Palestinians, indicating readiness for action by Tehran-backed proxies in the region.

Iran's top diplomat, Hossein Amirabdollahian, stressed that it is natural for resistance groups and movements to respond to these Israeli actions. He called for the utilization of political opportunities to halt the war, warning that the situation could spiral out of control.

In response to these developments, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched a significant number of ballistic missiles and drones toward southern Israel. The group vowed to continue its attacks. Simultaneously, the Israeli military reported successfully intercepting a surface-to-surface missile fired from the Red Sea area using the Arrow aerial defence system.

This news underscores the complex and volatile situation in the region, with various stakeholders expressing their positions on the ongoing conflict.