Iran condemns US violence, says anti-war student protests proof of world awakening

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani has condemned the US crackdown on students protesting Israel’s bloody war on the Gaza Strip, stressing that police violence will not silence awakened public opinion.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Kan’ani said that the United States demonstrated its “dual approach” to human rights by allowing the police to brutally suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrators on college campuses.

“What we are witnessing at American universities shows the awakening of the world’s public opinion to the Palestinian issue and the depth of hatred towards the Zionist regime and the genocide in Gaza that is being committed by Israel with the support of the US and some European governments,” he added.

“The Iranian Foreign Ministry does not accept the police treatment … and considers it worrying,” he noted, calling on the international community to intervene.

The protests began at Columbia University in New York City, where students set up an encampment of tents demanding a permanent ceasefire in Israel’s Gaza war and an end to US military assistance for the regime, as well as university divestment from companies profiting from the aggression.

The peaceful demonstration spread to at least two dozen universities across the US.

In recent days, the US police have raided campuses, clashed with pro-Palestinian students and professors, and arrested hundreds of them.

Over 900 arrested at anti-war protests in US universities since April 18

At least 900 protesters have been arrested since the launch of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses across the US, a report says.

US doesn’t want Gaza truce

Also in his remarks, Kan’ani said that if the US had the will to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, it could have stopped the shipment of weapons to Israel and cut off its financial and political support for the occupying regime.

An immediate ceasefire has the most urgency in Gaza followed by the opening of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to the Palestinian people and a prisoners’ swap deal, he noted.

IRGC ‘world’s greatest anti-terror force’

Meanwhile, the top diplomat described Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as “the largest anti-terrorist force in the world.”

“If it were not for the IRGC’s role in the fight against terrorism, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) would have been exposed to terrorist threats,” he said.

Recently, the MEPs condemned Iran’s retaliatory operation against Israel, saying the IRGC must be put on the EU list of “terrorist organizations.”

Iran Expo 2024 ‘great achievement’ for government

Elsewhere in his remarks, the spokesman hailed the holding of the 6th Export Potential Exhibition of Iran, also known as Iran Expo 2024, as a “great achievement for the government.”

The exhibition, he added, has provided a good opportunity for dialogue between Iranian officials and authorities from more than 22 countries.

Iran Expo 2024 kicked off in Tehran on Saturday and will run until Wednesday. It has attracted 800 local companies, along with 2,000 international traders and entrepreneurs from 120 countries.

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