Iran, Portugal discuss Gaza situation, release of ship crew

TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel on Saturday held a phone talk on developments in the Gaza Strip, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

In the phone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian strongly urged an end to Israel's "war and genocide" in Gaza and respect for the oppressed Palestinian people's rights, deeming Israel "the root cause" for all regional tensions.

Rangel, for his part, stressed the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, adding his government supported the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

He called for efforts by all regional countries to reduce tensions in West Asia.

The two officials also discussed bilateral relations and other regional issues of common interest, with Amir-Abdollahian speaking highly of "good and long-standing" ties between the two countries.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, they also exchanged views on issues concerning the Israeli-linked Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries seized on April 13 by the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement said Amir-Abdollahian has told Rangel that Iran paid serious attention to the humanitarian issue of releasing the ship's crew members, and "we have announced to their ambassadors in Tehran access to consular services, release and extradition."