Iranian diplomat Mohammad Soltani Fard, the head of Iran's Interest Section in Cairo, said that Egypt plays a pivotal role in the region and has succeeded in stopping the displacement of Gaza's residents, adding that Tehran backs Cairo in its reconstruction plan for Gaza. In an exclusive interview, he noted that the resistance in Yemen has proven successful in defending the Gaza Strip. He also stressed that Iran is not calling for war and does not seek confrontation with the US - but still knows how to defend itself when necessary. The occupation in Gaza and the West Bank have brought Palestine to the peak of despair, he said, calling Israel a fragile "spider's nest". ■How do you view Egypt's role in stopping the war on Gaza? Will Tehran support Cairo's reconstruction plan? – Egypt has a very important and crucial role to play. Cairo has succeeded in preventing Israel from achieving its goals against the people of Palestine. Given this pivotal role, Iran has officially expressed its appreciation for Egypt's stances and announced its support towards Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan, which Cairo presented at the Arab Summit chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. ■In your opinion, why did Netanyahu resume the war on the Gaza Strip? – The crimes of the "Zionist" regime are nothing new. The Israelis have a long history of criminality, oppression, ethnic cleansing, and the killing of women and children. What they are doing today in Gaza and the West Bank showcases the heights of despair this usurping regime has reached. ■Do you think the people of Gaza will submit to Israel's attempts at forced displacement, and how long will they resist the criminal occupation? – If Gaza were to surrender, it would have happened early in the war. However, the Palestinian people resisted the Zionist crimes despite the absolutely horrific conditions of war and the lack of resources. This nation deserves respect and appreciation and to be a role model for the world. It has resisted history and will not allow it to repeat itself and for the Zionists to expel the people of Gaza as was the case in the past. Therefore, the Israelis themselves must leave the Holy Land and immigrate to the countries from which they came. ■ Do you believe that the resistance in Yemen will have a hand in ending the war on Gaza? – The world's major powers such as the US and Britain, the former colonizer of the Yemeni people, are being confronted by the resistance, which has proven that its defenses and attacks have been effective in defending the people of Gaza. Despite false claims that these threats are useless, Washington and London - acting on behalf of Israel - have brutally targeted the Yemeni people. It seems that US has forgotten its defeat in Vietnam and does not realize that the Yemeni people are nothing compared to Vietnam's struggle against America, and so the US will be defeated again. ■What does Tehran offer the Palestinian resistance, despite the Iranian Supreme Leader's statement that his country has no agents in the region? – Iran, based on its legal obligations stipulated in the Constitution and Islamic teachings, fully supports the legitimate Palestinian resistance. Resistance is an authentic culture, operates independently, and has its place among freedom supporters around the world. Thus viewing the resistance as a proxy arm is insults the spirit of struggle and resistance itself. ■Iran's Supreme Leader warned Washington that threats would be met with strong and resounding slaps. Does this mean that Tehran is prepared for any response? – Tehran is not calling for war or escalating tensions in the region, nor does it welcome confrontation with the US. However, the Iranian nation is not complacent. We know well how to support ourselves and resist potential attacks, based on our experience over years of the Sacred Defense and how we protected ourselves. We have proven in the first and second sincere promises that Israel is a fragile entity, a "spider's nest." If the Arab and Islamic countries unite, they can easily force this Zionist entity to retreat and achieve the legitimate rights of Palestine. ■What is your vision for the future of the Middle East in light of America and Israel's efforts to achieve change? -The consequences of successive US defeats in Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan reflect the awakening of countries and governments in the region. We believe that America and Israel are collapsing, and that the election of Trump as president and his policies are an attempt to prevent an early collapse, which in turn will impact Israel, leaving it in ruin, especially after Operation Flood of Al-Aqsa. I believe that its future will be uncertain. ■There are celebrations for International Quds Day, and Tehran is eager to join in. What are these plans this year? The events in Gaza and the Al-Aqsa Flood have significantly changed the reality of International Quds Day this year. The entire world now understands the importance of the Palestinian cause and knows that after 75 years of occupation, thousands of martyrs, and hundreds of thousands of wounded, that these are a people who will continue the path of resistance until victory and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The late Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, supported Palestine before the victory of the Iranian Revolution. He believed that the entire world was responsible for the occupation of Palestine and Jerusalem, the first qibla of Muslims and the place of ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. Therefore, the designation of World Quds Day is a reference to that responsibility.