The presidents of Iran and Syria have urged Islamic countries to declare their unified support for Palestinians

Iranian president says Islamic world must 'reach a single position to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime

The presidents of Iran and Syria have urged Islamic countries to declare their unified support for Palestinians, a news agency linked to Iran’s top security agency reported.

“Islamic and Arab countries, as well all free people of the world, must reach a single position to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian people,” Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, told his Syrian counterpart in a phone-call, Nournews reported. 

Iran and Syria are long-time allies in the Middle East.

Iran’s economic influence in war-torn Syria has grown in recent years, supplying President Bashar al-Assad’s government with funding and lucrative business contracts.

Hossein Amirabdollahian, Iran’s foreign minister, is set to travel to Lebanon to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Thursday, citing Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon.

It came as Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and Mr Raisi spoke by phone, their first call since a surprise rapprochement in March.

Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, received a call on Wednesday from Mr Raisi, during which they discussed “the current military situation in Gaza and its environs”, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Prince Mohammed told Mr Raisi that Riyadh was “communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation”, SPA said.

He also stressed “the kingdom’s firm position towards supporting the Palestinian cause”, it said.