Iran's supreme leader lambastes reports of Saudi government relations with Israel

01 Aug 2016

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a harsh rebuke of Saudi Arabia on Monday for allegedly seeking better relations with Israel.

"Revelation of Saudi government’s relations with Zionist regime was stab in the back of Islamic Ummah," Khamenei posted on his Twitter account. In another message, he wrote: "Today, #Saudi government is in hands of unwise people, but close scrutiny shows US hands are behind all these issues."

Unconfirmed media reports said that common interests, such as a fear of Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's efforts to gain influence in the Middle East, have brought Riyadh and Jerusalem closer together.

A former Saudi general visited Israel last month and met with Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold and a number of lawmakers.

The reported warming of ties with Israel that brought criticism from Khamenei, was also condemned by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, who call it "currently the worst development in the Arab sphere."