Khamenei: Normalizing the countries of the region with Israel will not solve the regional crises

Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei considered that the Middle East crisis would not be resolved through normalization between Arab countries and Israel, at a time when the United States is seeking to conclude an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Khamenei said while receiving a group of educators on Teacher’s Day: “Some people think that the problem will be solved if they go to neighboring countries and urge them to normalize their relations with Israel.”

He added, "No, they are wrong; the issues of West Asia will not be resolved unless Palestine is returned to its original owners!"

He added: "Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people. Muslims, Christians, and Jews as well. Let them return Palestine to them, and let them establish their regime. Then let that regime decide how it will deal with the Zionists. Whether it will expel them or keep them. Let them decide that."

He continued: "The day will come when the peoples rise up against their governments in West Asia, which turned a blind eye to Israel's crimes and extended a hand of friendship to it," continuing, "If the peoples of the region today are opposed to the Zionist entity, then on that day they will be opposed to their governments."

Khamenei reiterated Iran's position criticizing police intervention on American university campuses to break up movements supportive of the Palestinians.

He said, “The university students did not shout slogans inciting riots, nor did they kill anyone, nor did they set fire anywhere, and they are treated in this manner!” He added, “The American government’s dealings with the university students demonstrated America’s involvement with the Zionist entity in the major crime of genocide in Gaza.” .

The Iranian Supreme Leader's statements come two days after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed that Washington is close to completing a security agreement with Riyadh that will be presented to it if it normalizes relations with Israel.

The administration of US President Joe Biden is seeking to conclude a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, completing a path that began during the era of his predecessor, Donald Trump, and which, as of 2020, resulted in the signing of agreements between the Hebrew state and several Arab countries, namely the Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

Tehran had previously criticized the normalization agreements and considered them a “betrayal” of the Palestinian cause, whose support has been one of the declared pillars of the Islamic Republic’s policy since the victory of the revolution in 1979.