Iran urges Muslim countries to halt trade with Israel

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urges Muslim countries to halt trade with Israel, including oil exports, in response to its bombardment of Gaza. He calls for a "block on oil and food exports" and lambasts Western governments who "stood against Palestine". Iran supports Hamas financially and militarily, but denies any involvement.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Muslim countries Wednesday to halt trade with Israel, including oil exports, in response to its bombardment of Gaza since deadly Hamas attacks.

Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip since Hamas gunmen stormed across the border on October 7 and, killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli officials.

The bombing campaign has killed more than 8,500 people, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

"Islamic governments must insist on quickly ending the crimes," Mr. Khamenei told a gathering of students in Tehran.

"Muslim countries should not cooperate economically with the Zionist regime (Israel)," he said, calling for a "block on oil and food exports".

Mr. Khamenei lambasted Western governments who "stood against Palestine", naming Britain, France and the United States.

"The Muslim world must not forget who is putting pressure on the population of Gaza. It's not just about the Zionist regime," he said.