Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that efforts to forge a normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab countries will not resolve the crisis in the Middle East, AFP reports.

“Some people think that by forcing neighbouring countries to normalise their ties [with Israel] the problem will be solved,” said Khamenei. “They are wrong.”

“Palestine should be returned to them (Palestinians),” said Khamenei. “They should form their own regime, their own system, then that system should decide how to deal with the Zionists. “

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Updated 01 Aug, 2026

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