Iran Calls On All Nations to Cut Ties With "Israel"

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's foreign minister has called on all countries to cut diplomatic ties with "Israel" to show their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The official IRNA news agency has quoted Manouchehr Mottaki as saying countries around the world, especially Arab and Islamic states, must pressure "Israel" to end its offensive against Gaza.

Tuesday's report quoted Mottaki as praising the decision by Mauritania and Venezuela to expel "Israeli" ambassadors to those countries and said other states should do the same.

The "Israeli" offensive in Gaza, which began on Dec. 27, has killed more than 900 Palestinians and has provoked anger in many parts of the world.