Iran Suggests Expelling Israelis to Greenland

By Maya Mehrara

Iran has suggested expelling Israelis to Greenland as a solution to the tension in Gaza.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke about the conflict between Israel and Hamas and proposed an idea to "kill two birds with one stone" following the ceasefire.

Newsweek has contacted the White House, the Iranian Mission to the United Nations, the government of Greenland and the Israeli Embassy in London for comment via email.

Why It Matters

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent proposal to "clean out" Gaza by resettling Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan has sparked a backlash from the Arab nations he would need to help implement such a plan.

With his comments—which also reference Trump's repeated desire for the United States to purchase Greenland—Araghchi may have increased tensions between Iran and the new U.S. administration.

What To Know

In an interview published on Tuesday, Sky News' Dominic Waghorn asked Araghchi what Iran would do if Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians came to pass.

The foreign minister said: "I think this is a project many people tried to do in the past, but they have all failed.

Palestine cannot be deleted from the decision. Palestinians cannot be expelled."

Referencing the Israel-Hamas war and Trump's Greenland proposal, Araghchi added: "Instead of Palestinians, try to expel Israelis. Take them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone. So they can resolve the problem in Greenland and Israelis. So it would be a good place for them."

Tensions between Iran and Israel have risen recently over fears of Israel attacking Tehran's nuclear sites, and idea Trump has previously supported.

The president introduced his proposal to "clean out" Gaza in a 20-minute interview with reporters aboard Air Force One, saying the region is a "demolition site right now." He proposed building housing in a "different location" and getting involved with "some of the Arab nations," namely Jordan and Egypt.

He said of moving Palestinians: "You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, 'You know, it's over.'"

Egypt and Jordan both rejected the president's proposal, and Trump has also received backlash over his comments from numerous historians, journalists and political commentators.

Last week, Trump's goal of buying Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic Ocean, suffered another blow after a phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that several European officials described as "horrendous."

Trump has said he wants the U.S. to purchase Greenland for national and "economic security."

What People Are Saying

Journalist Hala Jaber wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: "Perhaps you should consider Iran's foreign minister's great suggestion @realDonaldTrump. Instead of expelling Palestinians, (to Jordan, Egypt, Albani or Indonesia,) how about you take Israelis to Greenland."

S. Sebag Montefiore, a historian and an author, wrote on X: "Iran Foreign Minister on @skynews proposes ethnically cleansing Israel and sending Jews to Greenland."

Shivan Mahendrarajah, a fellow at the Royal Historical Society, wrote on X: "Iranian FM Araghchi is Based! 'Instead of Palestinians, try to expel Israelis, take them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone.' (Love the sly smile on FM's face as he slips knife into Orange Man)."

What Happens Next

Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire—the first stage of which is expected to last six weeks.