TEHRAN — Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi on Monday accused the United States of “encouraging” Israel to “kill and perpetrate cruel acts” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Meeting Iraq's prime minister in Tehran, Raisi once again called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.

"We believe the bombings must stop as soon as possible, that a ceasefire must be declared immediately and that aid be provided to the oppressed and proud people of Gaza," he said at a press conference with Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.

“These horrible crimes against humanity are a genocide, which is carried out by the Zionist regime with the support of the United States and certain European countries,” claimed Raisi.

"American aid to the Zionist regime encourages it to kill and perpetrate cruel acts against the Palestinian people. The Americans' claim that they seek to help Gaza is a false promise, which is not consistent with their actions,” he added.

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, rocket and drone attacks have targeted Iraqi bases housing US troops.

Washington accuses Iran of being involved by proxy in these attacks which also targeted American soldiers in neighboring Syria.

Iran and Iraq do not recognise Israel and the Iraqi government is close to Iran, a country which supports Palestinian Hamas. — Euronews