TEHRAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Sunday underlined the country's willingness to collaborate with other states on tackling environmental challenges, according to a statement published on the ministry's website.

       Kanaani's remarks coincided with Earth Day, marked internationally on April 22. He emphasized that environmental respect held a long-standing place within Iranian values and traditions.

       The spokesman highlighted Iran's focus on joint regional planning and cooperation to combat environmental issues such as dust haze, sandstorms, flooding, and drought.

       He stressed the need for collective action on a regional and international scale to address environmental disasters and their repercussions, pointing to Iran's "serious" efforts in contributing to international goals for a clean planet.

       Kanaani also used the opportunity to strongly condemn Israel's "inhumane and disgraceful" environmental practices in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, accusing them of employing "pre-planned and targeted destruction operations" as a pressure tactic against Palestinians.

       The spokesman urged the international community and organizations to take immediate and appropriate action to halt all forms of Israeli "crimes as well as inhumane and anti-environmental actions" within Palestinian territories.