Khamenei's Chief of Staff: There is a 'Sea of Blood' Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

In the continuing verbal clashes between Iranian and Saudi officials, several Friday prayer leaders have called for the management of Hajj to be taken out of Saudi hands, and the head of Ayatollah Khamenei's office stated that there is a 'sea of blood' between Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, the head of the Islamic Republic's leader's office, referred to Saudi officials as 'criminals and mercenaries' on Friday, September 9. He also described the conflicts in Yemen and Syria as a 'proxy war among Muslims' and emphasized that the actions of the Islamic State (ISIS) are a 'product' of the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Some experts believe that the regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia encompasses various aspects, including differing policies in the oil market, and has turned into a proxy war between the two countries during the Yemen and Syria conflicts. In another part of his speech, the head of Iran's leader's office stated that the king and Saudi officials are 'tyrants, Lat, and Uzza' and are determined to destroy Islam. In Muslim beliefs, 'Lat' and 'Uzza' are referred to as two major idols that were worshipped before the time of the Prophet Muhammad at the Kaaba. Golpayegani also accused Saudi officials of entrusting the security of pilgrims to Israel. He stressed: 'Their actions last year and in 1987 are unforgettable; between us and them is a sea of blood, and these crimes must not be forgotten.' Reports indicate that on July 30, 1987, during the 'Protest against Polytheists' demonstration, clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police resulted in the deaths of 275 Iranians and 85 Saudis, including several police forces, leading to a severance of relations between the two countries. Recently, as the Hajj season approaches, during which Iranian pilgrims will not be present, verbal confrontations between officials of the two countries have escalated. The leader of the Islamic Republic on September 6, in a message to the world's Muslims, referred to Saudi officials with titles such as 'godless and heartless rulers,' 'instigators of sedition,' 'politicians oblivious to God,' and 'the cursed tree of tyrants,' urging Islamic countries to 'find a fundamental solution for the management of Hajj.' The leaders of six Gulf Cooperation Council member states described Ayatollah Khamenei's statements as 'ugly and disgusting,' and Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, reacted to this message by stating that Iranians 'are not Muslims.' Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, also responded to the Grand Mufti's remarks, stating that the Islam of Iranians bears no resemblance to what he called the extremist 'Wahhabi Mufti' of Saudi Arabia. Attacks from close associates of the Islamic Republic's leader against Saudi Arabia continue, and on Friday, Friday prayer leaders in various Iranian cities made similar statements, calling on Muslims to take the management of Hajj out of Saudi hands. Among them, Ahmad Jannati, the Secretary of the Guardian Council and Friday prayer leader of Tehran, referred to Saudi officials as 'the sons of Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab.' In Shia narratives, 'Abu Lahab' and 'Abu Jahl' are referred to as 'leaders of the infidels.' 'Abu Lahab' was the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. Asadollah Imani, the Friday prayer leader of Shiraz, also stated that there are 'signs of intent' in the occurrence of the Mina incident. He added: 'All the greats of Islam and Muslims around the world must rise and clarify the status of the two holy shrines and Hajj.' A hand extended for reconciliation with Saudi Arabia 'will be cut off.' One day before the publication of the Iranian leader's message against Riyadh officials, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran, stated that to solve the problems between the two countries, 'if necessary,' there is no harm in Iran extending a 'first hand' towards Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, several Friday prayer leaders attacked Rafsanjani's remarks. Among them, Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, said that 'a group of assimilated people say that unless we establish relations with the Saudis, regional problems will not be resolved; do they not know who the Saudis are?' He added: 'Is there any humiliation greater than approaching such a filthy and polluted enemy and establishing relations with them?' Ahmad Khatami, the Friday prayer leader of Tehran, also stated on Thursday evening, referring to Rafsanjani's remarks, that the 'nation' will 'cut off' any hand extended for reconciliation with Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic is determined by Ayatollah Khamenei and that the regime's position is one of fiery confrontation with the Saudi government. The Mina incident and the subsequent attack on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad in January of last year led to the severance of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and several of its allies with Iran. Regarding the attack on the Saudi embassy, the leader of the Islamic Republic had previously strongly criticized blaming 'Hezbollah' individuals for extremism, stating that 'just because an incident like the Saudi embassy and the British embassy occurs, which is very bad and detrimental to the country and Islam, should not be used as an excuse to attack believing youths.' After the trial of 21 defendants in the attack on the Saudi embassy, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesman for the judiciary, announced that the attackers on the Saudi embassy could be eligible for 'leniency in punishment' due to the 'anger' they felt from the actions of that government and the Mina incident.