Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized a US weapons deal amounting to $110 billion (98 billion euros) announced last week between the US and Saudi Arabia, saying Saudi leaders were "idiots" and "milk cows for the Americans."

"They [Saudi leaders] act cordially towards the enemies of Islam while having the opposite behavior towards the Muslim people of Bahrain and Yemen," Khamenei said, referring to the targeted suppression of Shiite communities in those countries.

Last week, US President Donald Trump signed a multi-billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia during his visit to the kingdom, where he called for regional allies to further isolate Iran.

Saudi officials have often described Iran as the premier state sponsor of terrorism in the region, saying it aims to destabilize the Middle East and export its revolution to other countries.

'Iranian threats'

Tensions have risen between Saudi Arabia and Iran since Trump's ascension to the presidency, in part due to his policy shift on the Islamic republic.

Under former US President Barack Obama's administration, Washington and the international community, including Germany, hammered out a deal that curbed Iran's nuclear program in exchange for dropping sanctions. However, Trump has called for a tougher stance on Iran.

"This package of defense equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats," a White House official said when announcing the US-Saudi arms deal last week.

'Moderation and rationality'

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, known as a pragmatic reformist, offered a more constructive tone for the future of Iran's relations with Gulf nations in remarks made to Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

"We want the rule of moderation and rationality in the relations between countries and we believe that a political solution should be a priority," Rouhani said. "The countries of the region need more cooperation and consultations to resolve the crisis in the region and we are ready to cooperate in this field."

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have plunged since 2016, when protesters stormed the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran and set fire to the building. The demonstration had been triggered by Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shiite cleric.

Last year, Khamenei lashed out at Saudi Arabia for excluding Iranians during the Hajj pilgrimage, in part a response to the 2015 crush and stampede that killed 2,411 worshippers in Mecca, Islam's holiest site.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Treasures of early civilizations Simple, but functional - this building consisting of one room only was constructed in the sixth millennium BC. The exhibition "Iran. Ancient Culture Between Water and Desert" in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle museum shows how people lived in the region from the sixth millennium BC until Darius I became king of Persia and founded the Achaemenid dynasty in 522 BC.

Iran, a cradle of civilization The Tower of Babel The Tower of Babel has been associated by scholars with the Etemenanki, a ziggurat dedicated to the Mesopotamian god Marduk by Nabopolassar, king of Babylonia. It was demolished by Alexander the Great. The story linked to it was meant to explain the origin of different languages. It was recorded in Genesis, the first book of the Jewish Tanakh and the Old Testament.

Iran, a cradle of civilization The Royal Game of Ur Among the exhibits are backgammon boards made of soap stone and beautifully decorated with snakes and birds. The Royal Game of Ur was already played all over Western Asia in the third millennium BC. Also called the Game of 20 Squares, it is still popular today.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Sensational findings at the plain of Jiroft In 2001, police succeeded in safeguarding significant findings that had been looted from the plain of Jiroft, in particular beautiful vessels made of chlorite. This item here dates back to the third millennium BC. Chlorite abounds in a quarry located in Tepe Yahya roughly 90 kilometers from the archaeological site.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Drinking and celebrating Wealthy people who lived back then are believed to have drunk wine from gold goblets at the tombs of their dead. The goblets used during these ceremonies give proofof highly developed manual and technical skills. Half-human and half-animal creatures decorated the cups like reliefs. Their heads were added later on.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Jewelry worn by princesses Is this a fairy tale of 1,001 nights? This heavy gold jewelry including rings, bracelets and chains, was found in a tomb of two Elamite princesses in the village of Jubaji close to the Persian Gulf in 2007. The princesses were also provided with food and religious items believed to assist them during their journey to the next world.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Royal residence Tshogha Zanbil was the residential city of King Untash-Napirisha (1275-1240 BC). It was surrounded by three huge walls. As the finding of thousands of bricks there suggests, there might have been plans to expand the city.

Iran, a cradle of civilization Paradise on earth The Persian Garden has been named a UNESCO's World Heritage Site. A typical inner court garden was reconstructed for the exhibition in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle. The central water basin with fountains offers refreshment. It is flanked by exotic flower beds. People can relax in a loggia with couches. High walls protect them against the sun - and curious onlookers. Author: Sabine Oelze (ad)



mm,ls/jlw (AP, Reuters, dpa)