Iran wants united front against Israel

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel’s deadly attack on an aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip as an act of “maritime terrorism.”

“The regime’s attack on the ships and its passengers is reminiscent of the acts of ancient pirates,” a Foreign Ministry statement read Monday.

Across Europe, Israel’s allies have frozen military ties and summoned the regime’s ambassadors, condemning the raid that claimed at least 20 lives and wounded dozens more.

“Under the (1988) Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, this is a blatant example of maritime terrorism,” the statement added.

Iran called for international action, recalling last year’s deadly military operation that killed over 1,400 Gazans in the densely populated coastal enclave, and the concerns over use of illegal weapons, such as white phosphorus bombs.

“This is the time for the international community to adopt a resolute stance against the recurring crimes of this belligerent and occupying regime.”

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla was carrying 10,000 tons of supplies and hundreds of activists and journalists onboard nine aid ships to the impoverished enclave.

One year after the Israeli attack on Gaza caused widespread devastation in the coastal strip, the convoy was seeking to pierce Israel’s crippling blockade of Gaza and reach Palestinians.