(MENAFN) Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, issued a forceful condemnation on Thursday targeting Israel’s interception of international humanitarian aid vessels and the detention of their passengers.

Baghaei’s statement came just hours after Israel confirmed on Wednesday that it had apprehended several ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in the Mediterranean Sea earlier that day, with passengers being transferred to an Israeli port.

He sharply criticized Israel’s actions, labeling them as “repeated attack on the GSF flotilla and detention of the supporters of the oppressed people of Gaza,” while commending activists and public groups from various countries for their humanitarian efforts in backing the Palestinian people and striving to break the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Baghaei further described Israel’s operation against the convoy as a “clear violation of international rules and a terrorist action.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of approximately 50 vessels carrying over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver crucial food and medical supplies to Palestinians.

MENAFN02102025000045017169ID1110140948