Tehran: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said in US television interview that US-sponsored efforts to normalise 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 United Nations’ nuclear watchdog in country.

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

Israel has moved closer to United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco following US-driven diplomatic initiative in 2020 which pushed for normalisation of relations. Establishing ties with Saudi Arabia home to some of Islam’s holiest sites would be grand prize for Israel and change geopolitics of Middle East.

Commenting on Iran’s nuclear programme, Raisi said, “We have announced time and time again that use of nuclear weapons, use of weapons of mass destruction in general, do not have place. Why? Because we don’t believe in it, nor do we have need for it.”

“Islamic Republic of Iran hasn’t said we do not wish any inspectors to be here.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 25 2023

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