Iranian delegation leaves climate conference in protest against Israel's participation
In protest against the participation of representatives of the Israeli state, the Iranian delegation left the negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai on Friday, according to media reports. According to the Iranian state news agency Irna, Iranian Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian, as head of the Iranian delegation, declared that the participation of the Israelis was "contrary to the goals and guidelines of the conference". The Iranian delegation is therefore leaving the conference.
The Iranian agency had previously reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi would not be attending the UN Climate Change Conference "due to the invitation of representatives of the Zionist regime". Iran does not recognize Israel as a state. Tehran supports the Palestinian organization in the war between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Tehran denies direct Iranian involvement in the preparations for the brutal Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which left 1200 dead.
Around 180 heads of state and government are expected to attend the climate conference in Dubai. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is already on site.
On Friday, Iran also blamed Israel for the end of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israel had started "a new round of killing with the continued support of the American government", the Iranian Foreign Ministry declared in the online service X. Fighting has been resuming in the Gaza Strip since Friday morning after a week-long ceasefire was not extended.
- Despite none of its leaders attending, Iran had initially planned to participate in the climate conference, but changed its stance due to Israel's participation.
- The absence of the Iranian delegation at the Climate conference is a direct result of their strong objection to Israel's recognition as a participating nation.
- According to Iranian officials, the participation of Israel's delegation goes against the principles and objectives of the UN Climate Change Conference.
- The Iranian Delegation's protest against Israel's participation at the Climate conference is another instance of Iran's long-standing policy not to acknowledge Israel as a state.
Source: www.ntv.de
