Iran decries Canberra’s decision to move Israel embassy

By Mohamed Kurusun</p> <p><br></p> <p>TEHRAN (AA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasimi says Australia’s recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would, if carried out, represent a violation of international resolutions.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Speaking to Iran’s Azad News Agency on Wednesday, Qasimi described the proposed move by Canberra as a “wrong and miscalculated decision”.</p> <p><br></p> <p>If implemented, he warned, the decision would be seen as a “violation of all international resolutions related to Palestine and the Israeli-occupied territories”.</p> <p><br></p> <p>“Such a move would not help resolve the longstanding issue of Palestine and the wider Middle East,” Qasimi added. “It will only serve to raise tensions in the region.”</p> <p><br></p> <p>On Saturday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his country's decision to formally recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.</p> <p><br></p> <p>He went on to assert, however, that Australia would not relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem until Palestine/Israel peace was achieved.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In November, Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro likewise announced his intention to move his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in line with his earlier campaign promises. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Days later, however, Bolsonaro said that a final decision on the matter had yet to be taken.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Late last year, U.S. President Donald Trump became the first leader to announce his country’s intention to recognize Jerusalem as the self-proclaimed Jewish state’s capital, drawing condemnation and protest from across the Arab and Muslim world. </p> <p><br></p> <p>In May, the U.S. carried out the decision, moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Guatemala has since followed Washington’s lead, also moving its embassy to the flashpoint holy city.