Iran has censured a recent move by some western countries to defund the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

In a post on his X account on Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana’ani said it is a “painful irony” that those countries cut their aid to UNRWA following unfounded allegations leveled by a regime widely accused of genocide in Gaza.

He said the “awakened conscience” of the world will judge the decision those countries made at a time when the Palestinians are going through terribly tough circumstances.

Israel’s unproven claim is that some of the UNRWA employees were involved in Operation Al-Aqsa Storm of October 7, 2023 conducted by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. Israel has killed nearly 27,000 people in Gaza ever since.

The Iranian official said Israel prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, which stands contrary to a UN Security Council resolution and an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He also criticized hollow expressions of concern by certain countries about the genocidal campaign in Gaza and their lack of will to limit diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime. Some of these countries are even providing the regime with military assistance, the Iranian spokesman said.

In a joint statement, 28 aid NGOs have voiced deep concern over the decision by the United States, Britain and some other countries in cutting the UNRWA funding.

"The suspension of funding by donor states will impact life-saving assistance for over two million civilians, over half of whom are children, who rely on UNRWA aid in Gaza," the statement read.