Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Arab governments that chose to normalize their relations with the illegal Zionist entity against the will of their people will only end up being exploited by the occupying regime.

“The Arab and non-Arab governments that moved toward normalizing their relations with the Zionist regime, against the will of their nations and for the will of the United States, must know that these interactions will bring them nothing but exploitation at the hands of the Zionist regime,” the Leader said on Wednesday.

He made the remarks while addressing a gathering of Iranian officials in charge of organizing Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Leader said the Zionists are an immediate and obvious plague for the Muslim world.

“Exposing the Zionists’ plots and conspiracies is one of the essential duties in Hajj,” the Leader said.

Elsewhere in his address, he hailed the resumption of Hajj pilgrimage after a two-year hiatus as a major blessing, saying the annual ritual is a symbol of unity among Muslims.

Efforts should be made so that the Islamic unity is not disrupted, Ayatollah Khamenei said, warning that sowing sectarian strife has long been a scheme used by the British.

‘Riyadh must prevent recurrence of Hajj tragedies’

The Leader also underlined the heavy responsibilities of Saudi Arabia as the country that hosts Hajj, saying Riyadh needs to act in accordance with the Muslim world’s interests.

“Ensuring the security of all pilgrims, especially Iranian pilgrims, and preventing the recurrence of past tragedies, as well as reconsidering the rise in costs, are among serious demands of the Islamic Republic,” the Leader added.