Iran condemns U.S. decision on Jerusalem

TEHRAN, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to move his country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, state TV reported on Thursday.

Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital is a "blatant violation of international resolutions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stressed that the most important reason behind instability and insecurity in the Middle East is (Israel's) continued occupation," the statement said.

"The U.S.'s relentless support for the Zionist regime (of Israel) and denying the oppressed Palestinian nation the right to establish an independent state with al-Quds (Jerusalem) as it capital" would also destabilize the region," the statement said.

Describing the U.S. move as "provocative and unwise," the Iranian Foreign Ministry warned that "recognizing al-Quds as the Israeli regime's capital" will "provoke Muslims and inflame a new Intifada and intensify extremism and violent behavior for which the United States and the Israeli regime will be responsible."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and instructed the State Department to begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"I am determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," said Trump, adding he has judged that "this cause of action to be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

"This is a long overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement," Trump argued, saying his announcement is just a "recognition of reality." Enditem