Iranian Supreme Leader Calls Israel “Bloodsucker” as Arabs Worldwide Prepare for Mecca Pilgrimage

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vilified Israel as a” bloodsucker” and a “rabid dog” in a fiery speech on Monday.

As per Tasnim News, Khamenei made the remarks while delivering a televised address as Muslims worldwide prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. However, instead of focusing on the sacred aspects of the Islamic holiday, Khamenei chose to warn Saudi Arabia against making the mistake of normalizing relations with Israel.

Khamenei referred to a term coined by his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini, “Distancing from the infidels,” while urging Hajj pilgrims to distance themselves from the “criminal Zionist enemy” and its Western supporters, whom he also described as “bloodsuckers.” He warned that failure to do so may jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two Arab countries despite having just signed a China-brokered peace agreement in 2023.

The Hajj is a mandatory pilgrimage for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of making the annual journey. It is marked by a series of Islamic rituals, including circling the Kaaba, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and standing in prayer on Mount Arafat. This year’s Hajj pilgrimage is anticipated to be one of the largest ever, with over 2.5 million Muslims expected to gather in Mecca, according to the report.

Prior to the outbreak of the Gaza war, Saudi Arabia and Israel were closer than ever to reaching a normalization agreement. The Saudi Kingdom would reportedly get bilateral deals on defense and nuclear cooperation from the United States if it officially recognized the State of Israel. However, the Saudi Kingdom is demanding that any such deal include the creation of a Palestinian state, a stance that Israel has openly rejected.