Saudi alliance with US, Israel has betrayed Muslims worldwide: Ayatollah Khamenei

Supreme Leader of Iran hosts representatives from Islamic countries, calls for end to 'warmongering'

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Saudi Arabia's alliance with the United States (US) and Israel is "certainly a betrayal" of the Muslims, Al Jazeera reports.

Iran's supreme leader made the comment at a conference attended by parliamentary representatives from Islamic countries on Tuesday, in Tehran, according to a statement published on his official website.

Talking about the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Khamenei said that the Holy City was "undoubtedly" the capital of Palestine, adding that Washington's move "will not bear results".

Khamenei also accused Saudi Arabia of helping the US and the "Zionists".

"This is certainly a betrayal of the Islamic Ummah and the Muslim World. We are ready to act brotherly even with those among the Muslims who were once openly hostile to Iran," he said.

"The world of Islam, with such a large population and plenty of facilities, can certainly create a great power within the world and become influential through unity."

"The warmongering among the world of Islam must be stopped and we should not allow that a safe haven be created for the Zionist regime," he added.



Regional rivals

Iran, a leading regional power, and Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, are dueling for influence in the Middle East, where they support opposing sides in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump said, on a visit to Jerusalem last year, that a shared concern about Iran was driving many Arab states closer to Israel.

An Israeli cabinet minister said in November that Israel had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia amid common concerns over Iran in a bid to increase pressure on the Tehran government.

This article originally appeared on Al Jazeera