Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that countries seeking to normalise relations with Israel “Are betting on losing horse”, state media reported.

Khamenei did not identify countries, but expectations that Israel might normalise ties with Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia, home of Islam’s two holiest shrines, have been ratcheted up this month.

“Definite position of Islamic Republic is that countries that make gamble of normalisation with Israel will lose. They are betting on losing horse,” Khamenei said.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to Khamenei’s remarks that Iran’s efforts to stop countries in region from forging ties with Israel will fail, citing agreements it signed with Arab nations in 2020.

“Just as Iran hasn’t prevented us from achieving Abraham Accords, Iran will also not prevent us from expanding circle of peace for benefit of citizens of Israel, people of region and all of humanity.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MbS, said in an interview broadcast on September 20 that deal on ties with Israel was getting closer by day and Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden held long-awaited meeting to discuss prospects.

Four Arab states have formalised ties with Israel in pacts known as Abraham Accords-United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 04 2023

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