"The Islamic Republic will continue to support the Palestinian resistance and nation. We proudly declare that Palestinian people should continue their struggle against the Zionist regime (of Israel)," Velayati said in a meeting with the visiting Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement Ramazan Abdullah in Tehran on Thursday.
He reiterated that the anti-Israeli resistance fronts will continue their struggle and they will not stop.
Abdullah, for his part, said the Palestinian resistance front, irrespective of all limitations, managed to emerge victorious in the recent Israeli military onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, noting that Iran as a major regional powerhouse has supported Palestinians and has been the source of inspiration for their victory.
In relevant remarks in November, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined the necessity for the settlement of differences between Israel and the Palestinians through the means of democracy - as has been proposed by the Islamic Republic several times so far - and reiterated Tehran’s continued support and solidarity with the Palestinian nation.
“No one has the right to ignore nations’ resolve to revive their historical, cultural and territorial identity; therefore, referring to the public opinion of a nation is the best option for deciding their fate,” Rouhani said in a message on the occasion of “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" read by Iran’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazayee at a UN meeting at the time.
He said that the Palestinian people, including the Muslims, Jews and Christians, should hold a free referendum to decide their own fate based on international standards, a proposal which was originally raised by the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
President Rouhani stressed Tehran’s solidarity with the Palestinian nation, and said, “Therefore, I am interested in restating my country’s resolve to stand beside the innocent Palestinian nation and support them continuously.”