Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Wednesday that efforts to normalize ties between Israel and Arab countries would not resolve the crisis in the Middle East.
He emphasized that forcing neighboring countries to normalize relations with Israel would not solve the underlying issues, dismissing such beliefs as incorrect.
Khamenei’s remarks followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement on Monday regarding a potential security package for Saudi Arabia if it normalizes relations with Israel.
Talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel had been paused during the Gaza war, which erupted after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. The conflict resulted in significant casualties on both sides and escalated regional tensions, involving Iran-backed groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.
While Iran supports Hamas, it denies direct involvement in the group’s attacks on Israel. Iran has consistently refused to recognize Israel and has made support for the Palestinian cause a cornerstone of its foreign policy since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance, emphasizing that Palestine should be returned to Palestinians, who should then establish their own regime and decide how to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
