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Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that countries seeking to normalise relations with Israel \u201care betting on a losing horse\u201d, state media reported on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Khamenei did not identify the countries, but expectations that Israel might normalise ties with Iran\u2019s regional rival Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam\u2019s two holiest shrines, have been ratcheted up this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe definite position of the Islamic Republic is that countries that make the gamble of normalisation with Israel will lose. They are betting on a losing horse,\u201d Khamenei said.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to Khamenei\u2019s remarks that Iran\u2019s efforts to stop countries in the region from forging ties with Israel will fail, citing agreements<\/a> it signed with Arab nations in 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cJust as Iran hasn\u2019t prevented us from achieving the Abraham Accords, Iran will also not prevent us from expanding the circle of peace for the benefit of the citizens of Israel, the people of the region and all of humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MbS, said in an interview broadcast on September 20 that a deal on ties with Israel was getting closer by the day<\/a> and Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden held a long-awaited meeting to discuss the prospects.<\/p>\n