TEHRAN, Iran —  Iran's foreign minister has called on all countries to cut diplomatic ties with Israel to show their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The official IRNA news agency has quoted Manouchehr Mottaki as saying countries around the world, especially Arab and Islamic states, must pressure Israel to end its offensive against Gaza.

Tuesday's report quoted Mottaki as praising the decision by Mauritania and Venezuela to expel Israeli ambassadors to those countries and said other states should do the same.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza, which began on Dec. 27, has killed more than 900 Palestinians and has provoked anger in many parts of the world.

Click to view photos from the conflict