Israel and Saudi Arabia have presented a united front over the Iran deal, criticizing and denouncing it, reported The Telegraph. The Sunni Arab world and Israel have set aside old grievances to stand together against the West's engagement with Iran.
The nuclear deal, which critics say will increase the influence and resources of a newly enriched Iran, caused fury in Israel and consternation around the region.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, which regards Iran as a direct threat, was strident in denouncing the deal, saying that Israel would not be bound by what he called a "stunning historic mistake."
"Israel is not bound by this deal with Iran," he said in a televised address hours after the conclusion of the accord, reported Israel News. "Iran continues to seek our destruction and we will defend ourselves."
Netanyahu, who had condemned the deal even before it had been announced, said the terms of the deal which lifted sanctions enable Iran's theocratic rulers to increase their support for groups Israel considers terrorists while failing to achieve the goal of denying Iran the capacity to build a nuclear bomb.
"The bottom line of this very bad deal is exactly as Iran's President Rouhani said today - the international community is removing the sanctions and Iran is keeping its nuclear program," he said.
Saudi officials had previously voiced fears that increasing rapprochement between Washington and Tehran could eventually lead to Iran supplanting Saudi Arabia as America's main ally in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia regards Shia Iran as a competitor for leadership in the Muslim world and sees its hand behind many of the region's conflicts. The two countries are supporting opposite sides in wars in Syria and Yemen.
Meanwhile, the strongest expression of support came from Syria, as President Bashar al-Assad said in a message to Iranian Hassan Rouhani, "I am happy that the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved a great victory by reaching an agreement. In the name of the Syrian people, I congratulate you and the people of Iran on this historic achievement," reported One News Page.
Some Western supporters of the deal hope that having been brought "into the circle of nations," Iran will become what they call a "constructive player" in Middle East regional negotiations.
"Iran must show that it is ready to help us on Syria to end this conflict," Francois Hollande of France said.
