Iran condemns latest US strikes as "grave war crime"

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the latest U.S. strikes against Iran, describing them as "a grave war crime."

In a statement, the ministry stressed that the U.S. strikes within the past 48 hours, carried out under the baseless pretext of responding to earlier incidents involving ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, were in blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries on ending the war.

The ministry also accused the United States of using the strikes to justify its continued failure to abide by the ceasefire agreement.

It added that Iran is determined to punish the "aggressors" and will in no way let the U.S. government's breach of commitments, bullying, and vile conduct to undermine Iran's national rights and interests.

In a separate statement, the ministry said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussed the latest regional developments with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in a phone call on Thursday.

Araghchi strongly condemned the recent U.S. attacks on Iran, calling them flagrant violations of the UN Charter and the MoU.

Araghchi warned against any "adventurism" by the U.S. military, reaffirming Iran's determination to defend its territorial integrity, sovereignty and national security, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that foreign countries have no role in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the U.S. adventurism and interference in shipping routes would trigger "a crushing response" and disrupt the gradual reopening of the waterway.

Furthermore, at the 137th session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Thursday in London, an Iranian representative strongly condemned the U.S. "military aggression" against Iranian ports, coastal areas and maritime infrastructure over the past two nights, saying the strikes had endangered maritime safety and security.

The representative criticized the United States for invoking freedom of navigation while attacking maritime traffic control facilities and safety equipment established to protect vessels and seafarers.

"A state cannot credibly claim to defend maritime security while destroying the very infrastructure upon which safe navigation depends," he said.

Also on Thursday, CNN, citing regional sources, reported that Pakistan and Qatar are working to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

However, a U.S. official told American news website Axios that the current escalation could last from a couple of days to a full month, depending on whether Iran continues its attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran condemns latest US strikes as "grave war crime"

The European Union (EU) on Saturday urged Israel to reopen all Gaza border crossings to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support at scale.

In a statement published by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU reiterated its grave concern over the persistent and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It said the severe flooding and winter conditions impacting the enclave are further aggravating the living conditions of an already exhausted population, exacerbating unsafe conditions and human suffering.

The statement noted that a year after the ceasefire was announced, military strikes continue and shortages of essential items persist due to restricted access, resulting in the absence of acceptable and dignified living conditions.

The EU urged Israel to enable the work of the United Nations and its agencies, and humanitarian organizations, including non-governmental organizations, and to comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The bloc underlined the need to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times, particularly the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as medical personnel and facilities. It described the recent airstrike on Nasser Hospital as "deeply alarming."

Reaffirming its commitment to the two-state solution, the EU called on all actors to fully implement the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 without delay, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international political and legal principles, in particular the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the civilian transition in Gaza.

The statement stressed that Hamas should not have any role in the future governance of Gaza.

On Nov. 7, Gaza's civil defense authorities declared a state of maximum emergency as a rainstorm flooded around 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians and overwhelmed rescue services.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 1.4 million Palestinians, or 65 percent of Gaza's population, were living in tents or makeshift shelters. It warned that humanitarian shelter stocks inside Gaza were virtually exhausted, while more than 150,000 tents remained outside the territory awaiting entry. However, Israel says it restricts certain materials over concerns that Hamas could use them for military purposes.

EU urges Israel to reopen all Gaza crossings, allow unimpeded humanitarian aid