Iran's Khamenei criticizes Arab-Israel normalization bids

Tehran, Iran — Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that efforts underway to normalize ties between Israel and Arab countries will not resolve the crisis in the Middle East.  

"Some people think that by forcing neighboring countries to normalize their ties [with Israel] the problem will be solved," Khamenei said in remarks made Wednesday. "They are wrong."  

Khamenei's remarks came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said Washington is nearly ready with a security package to offer Saudi Arabia if it normalizes relations with Israel.  

Saudi Arabia had been in talks over a potential normalization with Israel, but they were paused when the Gaza war broke out. 

The war erupted after Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. About 250 people were taken hostage by Hamas, which has been designated a terror group by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.   

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least more than 34,500 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.  

Regional tensions have soared since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, drawing in Iran-backed militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.  

The Islamic republic backs Hamas but has denied any direct involvement in the group's attack on arch-foe Israel. 

Iran does not recognize Israel and has made support for the Palestinian cause a centerpiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.  

"Palestine should be returned to them [Palestinians]," Khamenei said. 

"They should form their own regime, their own system. Then that system should decide how to deal with the Zionists," he said.