Iran will not condone the regional insecurity crisis, and any mistake or provocation from hostile nations will be met with a harsh response, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned in a public speech on 14 July.

Raisi’s remarks specifically referenced the hostile and destabilizing activities of the US and its allies in the region.

“In the gathering of the resistant people of Kermanshah, I say that any mistake by the Americans and their allies in the region and the world will be met with a harsh and regrettable response,” he said.

The Islamic Republic is stronger than ever, Raisi said, adding that this was in contrast to the US, which had lost its strength over the years.

Raisi’s remarks came a day after the first official visit to the region by US President Joe Biden since taking office in 2021.

During his visit, Biden informed Tel Aviv of his determination to confront Iran’s alleged nuclear program, and to facilitate normalization deals between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

On the same day, Biden signed joint strategic declarations with Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid, pledging that the US will utilize “all elements in its national power” to confront Iran’s nuclear energy program.

President Raisi emphasized Iran’s military capabilities, saying that Tehran will not tolerate a crisis or insecurity in the region.

Raisi also elaborated on how the interference of the US and its allies in other regions always involves the instigation of a crisis, “because these countries [US and its allies] are constantly bringing insecurity and terrorism into the region”.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said on 30 May that Tel Aviv has been talking with the US and Gulf Arab countries on possibilities for normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia

As part of these efforts, Riyadh has relaxed the entry rules for Israeli passport holders, with reports saying dozens of business people representing Tel Aviv have recently traveled to the kingdom.

Lapid’s statements come on the heels of reports by Israeli media that reveal several senior security and political figures from Israel have visited the kingdom over the past decade as part of US-sponsored efforts for the normalization of ties.

One of these secret meetings was between former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) in November 2020.

That meeting was also attended by former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and the former head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen.