Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has condemned Israel’s bids to justify its crimes, atrocities, and apartheid policies by falsely associating Islam with terrorism.

Speaking at the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on Friday, Iravani also pointed to the daily aggressions faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

“The world continues to witness daily aggressions against Palestinians whose homeland is under occupation,” Iravani stated.

He noted that Israel, as an occupying regime, in cooperation with its allies, maintains a futile attempt to excuse its atrocities, crimes, and apartheid practices by fabricating a direct link between Islam and terrorism.

Iravani also raised concerns over the growing Islamophobia in several Western countries, particularly instances of violence, defamation, and the desecration of Islamic values, shrines, and the Holy Quran under the pretext of freedom of expression. 

He urged nations to criminalize and prohibit violence and hatred against religious symbols and holy books through their national laws and to take collective action against Islamophobia.

Reaffirming Iran’s stance, Iravani emphasized the Islamic Republic’s unwavering support for efforts to combat Islamophobia and religious extremism.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its profound concern regarding the extensive network of anti-Muslim campaigns, which includes the utilization of media outlets and social media platforms,” he said.

Iravani warned that these campaigns have “detrimental effects” on Muslims worldwide, particularly for those under foreign occupation or in minority communities.

He also referenced UN General Assembly Resolution 76/254, adopted three years ago, which he said reflects a shared global commitment to tackling Islamophobia. 

He noted that last year’s resolution on “measures to combat Islamophobia” further reinforced the urgent need for legislative and policy actions to eliminate Islamophobia in all its forms.

“The resolution underscores the critical need for increased efforts to raise awareness and combat the spread of hate speech, which includes, inter alia, urging the implementation of all necessary measures, such as legislative and policy actions, to combat Islamophobia,” he stated.

In his concluding remarks, Iravani welcomed the nomination of H.E. Mr. Moratinos as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

He also expressed Islamic Republic’s readiness to actively engage in the work of the Special Envoy and closely collaborate with him in this regard.