The Iranian foreign minister has described the victims of the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian Flotilla as "martyrs" and expressed solidarity with them, Press TV reported.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the European Policy Centre in Brussels on Wednesday, Manouchehr Mottaki expressed "solidarity with the martyrs, the people who died on a humanitarian assistance [ship] to the Palestinian people," saying they have been under Israeli siege for too long.
The remarks come after an early Monday attack by Israeli commandos on an aid convoy bound for the besieged Gaza Strip left nearly 20 people killed and more than 50 others injured.
"They were attacked by barbarian actions of Israeli commandos two days ago. I would like to express our people's thanks for the strong reaction in Europe as well as in all around the world," AFP quoted Mottaki as saying.
The senior Iranian diplomat further pointed out that the recent brutal assault opened a door of opportunity to put pressure on Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza and thereby allow in "medicine and humanitarian assistance."
The attack drew widespread protests across the world, condemning the Israeli attack and demanding a halt to the Gaza blockade.