Iran’s Rouhani asks Muslims to disrupt Israeli ties in region

The Iranian president urged Muslims on Tuesday to disrupt what he called a plot by unnamed countries in the region to build ties with Israel. Hassan Rouhani gave no more details on the states, but an Israeli cabinet minister said last month that his government had conducted covert contacts with Saudi Arabia linked to their common concerns over Tehran, Reuters reports. “Some regional Islamic countries have shamelessly revealed their closeness” to Israel, Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live by state TV. “I am sure that the Muslims around the world will not let this sinister plot bear fruit.” Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fueled speculation that shared interests may push Saudi Arabia and Israel to work together.