Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has urged Muslim countries to cease economic relations with Israel in response to the heavy bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces. 

“The bombings on Gaza must stop immediately … the path of oil and food exports to the Zionist regime should be stopped,” Mr Khamenei said in a speech on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media. 

Israeli forces have been bombarding the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the October 7 deadly attack carried out by Hamas that killed over 1400 people in Israel, according to Israeli officials.

The bombing campaign in Gaza has killed over 8,500 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. 

“Islamic governments must insist on quickly ending the crimes,” Khamenei said. 

“Muslim countries should not cooperate economically with the Zionist regime (Israel),” Khamenei added, calling for a “block on oil and food exports.” 

Mr Khamenei also pointed out Western countries like Britain, France, and the United States who are supporting Israel and putting pressure on the population of Gaza.

He explained that the Muslim world is watching and would not forget countries that are supporting and putting pressure on the Gaza population. 

Iran’s defence minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, sounded a warning to all European countries helping Israel to be careful not to anger Muslims.

Iran, which continues to support Hamas financially and militarily, hailed the October 7 attack on Israel as a success, although they denied having any involvement with it. 

The president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, explained that Iran sees it as a duty to support resistance groups like Hamas but insisted that the groups often act independently. 

The White House has often accused Iran of actively facilitating attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. 

On Friday, the United States announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Hamas funding and support in Iran.