"The forced eviction of Palestinians from Gaza is part of the scheme to eliminate Palestine in a colonial manner," Araghchi said in a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelati.

Trump's proposal for the United States to seize Gaza and relocate its residents was first floated on Tuesday during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It drew widespread international condemnation.

Araghchi said the plan "poses a serious threat to stability and security in the region."

The US president suggested that Gazans should move to Egypt or Jordan. The governments of both countries categorically rejected such a step.

According to Araghchi, "it is essential that Islamic countries take a firm and united stand against this project."

According to the Iranian foreign ministry, on 8 February he also spoke with his counterparts from Tunisia and Turkey about the situation in Gaza.

The minister's discussions followed a meeting between Hamas representatives and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

It was the first such meeting since the fragile truce in the war between Israel and Hamas came into force on 19 January, ending more than 15 months of war.

Iran, a staunch supporter of Hamas, has long championed the Palestinian cause as a cornerstone of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran does not recognise Israel. | BGNES