Iran terms normalisation withIsrael 'reactionary, regressive'.

ISLAMABAD -- IranianPresident Ebrahim Raisi onSunday denounced anyattempts by regional coun tries to normalise relationswith its arch-enemy Israel as"reactionary and regressive".The remarks came amidongoing US-brokered nego tiations between Israel andSaudi Arabia to establishformal ties, with the UnitedStates saying on Friday thatthe two countries are movingtowards the outline of a deal."Normalising relationswith the Zionist regime is areactionary and regressivemove by any government inthe Islamic world," Raisisaid during an internationalIslamic conference held inTehran.

An Israeli delegation isexpected in Saudi Arabia onSunday, days after the firstofficial visit by an Israeliminister to the kingdom.Saudi Arabia also sent adelegation to the occupiedWest Bank on Wednesdayfor the first time in threedecades in a bid to reassurethe Palestinians ahead of theprospective deal.Raisi on Sunday furtherlabelled any normalisationattempt as the "foreigners'desire", while stating that"surrender and compromise"regarding Israel were not onthe table.

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