Raeisi: Enemies, not least Israel, irked by Iran-Saudi rapprochement

President Ebrahim Raeisi says enemies, particularly Israel, are the only ones furious at the improvement of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Tehran on Saturday, Raeisi said many Muslim nations have welcomed the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia as two influential countries in the Muslim world.

He said Iran sets no limitation to the expansion of ties with Muslim countries.

“Only the adversaries of Muslims, not least the Zionist regime, are upset with the enhancement of cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.”

“The Zionist regime is not only an enemy of the Palestinians, but a threat to all Muslims,” Raeisi said.

The Iranian president warned that normalization by certain countries with Israel would in no way enhance security as it goes against the will of Muslim nations.

Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Morocco have so far signed US-brokered normalization agreements with Israel.

The move has sparked widespread condemnations from the Palestinians as well as nations and human rights advocates across the globe, especially within the Muslim world.

Palestinians say the deals are a treacherous “stab in the back” and a betrayal of their cause against the decades-long Israeli occupation.

Pointing to the participation of Muslims from across the world in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Iranian president said it is necessary, based on Islamic beliefs, to promote good neighborliness between Tehran and Riyadh.

He said Muslim nations are suffering from a host of problems in the region. “It is possible to overcome problems through cooperation and dialogue among regional countries and there is no need for foreign intervention to that end.”

Raeisi said Iran has gained sophisticated experience in fighting terrorism and destroying Takfiri terrorists, which can be used as an axis of cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh.

The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, said Tehran and Riyadh have entered a golden phase in relations.

He said cooperation with Iran would prepare the ground for both sides and the region to make use of the current opportunities.

Farhan said the Saudi King has ordered the formation of various working groups to promote relations with Iran to a strategic level. Enhancement of economic, development and cultural cooperation is on the agenda of Tehran and Riyadh, he said.

The Saudi minister said certain countries in the world do not favor promotion of peace and progress in the region. However, the top Saudi diplomat said, expanded interaction between Iran and Saudi Arabia and among all Muslim nations would guarantee that no foreign country interfere in the region.