Israel's peace talks with Saudi Arabia will fail, Iran's Raisi claims

Raisi also said Iran had not said it does not want nuclear inspectors from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog in the country.

 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a TV interview, in Tehran, Iran June 20, 2023. (photo credit: IRAN'S PRESIDENCY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a TV interview, in Tehran, Iran June 20, 2023.
(photo credit: IRAN'S PRESIDENCY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said in a US television interview on Sunday that US-sponsored efforts to normalize Israeli relations with Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, "will see no success".

In an interview with CNN, Raisi also said Iran had not said it does not want nuclear inspectors from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog in the country.

"We have announced time and time again that the use of nuclear weapons, the use of weapons of mass destruction in general, do not have a place"

President Ebrahim Raisi

Raisi has said Iran has no issue with the UN nuclear watchdog's inspection of its nuclear sites, days after Tehran barred multiple inspectors assigned to the country.

Israel has moved closer to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco following a US-driven diplomatic initiative in 2020 which pushed for normalization of relations.

Establishing ties with Saudi Arabia - home to some of Islam's holiest sites - would be the grand prize for Israel and change the geopolitics of the Middle East.

 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (left) meets with members of the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta group on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. September 20, 2023 (credit: SCREENSHOT FARS NEWS AGENCY)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (left) meets with members of the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta group on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. September 20, 2023 (credit: SCREENSHOT FARS NEWS AGENCY)

No dangerous ambition?

Commenting on Iran's nuclear programme, Raisi said:

"We have announced time and time again that the use of nuclear weapons, the use of weapons of mass destruction in general, do not have a place. Why? Because we don't believe in it, nor do we have a need for it."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran hasn't said we do not wish any inspectors to be here."