The Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi said today that it was time for action rather than words on the conflict in Gaza, as he flew to Saudi Arabia to attend a summit on the war between Israel and Hamas militants.

“Gaza is not an arena for words. It should be for action,” Raisi said from Tehran airport before departing for a summit of Arab and Islamic countries in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

“Today the unity of Islamic countries is very important,” he added.

It is the first visit to Saudi Arabia by an Iranian head of state since Tehran and Riyadh ended years of hostility under a Chinese-brokered deal in March.

“The summit will send a strong message to warmongers in the region and result in an end to war crimes in Palestine,” said Iranian Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who is accompanying Raisi, according to the government website Padolat.

“America says it does not want an extension of the war and has sent messages [προς την κατεύθυνση αυτή] in Iran and several countries. But these statements are not in line with America’s actions,” Raisi said in televised remarks from Tehran airport.

“The war machine in Gaza is in the hands of America, which is blocking a ceasefire in Gaza and extending the war. The world needs to see the true face of America,” Raisi said.