TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s top leader lashed out at the United States Friday, saying America is not a good mediator in Mideast peace talks because it allegedly sides with Israel.
The comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei come ahead of the second round of US-brokered Mideast peace talks next week. The talks resumed after a five-year freeze.
Iran does not recognize Israel and has considered the Jewish state its archenemy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Khamenei said the US-brokered talks will “definitely damage” the Palestinian side.
The “US is not a real mediator, it stands by the Zionists,” he said.
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Khamenei has final say on all state matters. He spoke during a prayer ceremony on Friday marking the start in Iran of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
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