Tasnim � Prominent Iranian cleric Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani deplored the Riyadh regime�s hypocrisy and described the Al Saud as the �lackey� of the US and Israel in the Middle East.

Addressing a gathering of the participants in the 2018 edition of the International Islamic Unity Conference on Tuesday, Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani said that boosting unity by preserving Islamic values and principles is a necessity for Muslims.

All Muslims �have a common goal and a common enemy,� the cleric said, adding, �The common enemy are the United States and Israel, and our common goal is liberation of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and destruction of Israel.�

Referring to the support of the Saudi regime for Tel Aviv and Washington, the top cleric said, �No one can be the lackey of the United States and at the same time (call himself) the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.�

The Islamic Unity Conference opened in Tehran on Saturday under the motto of �Quds, the Axis of Unity� with a speech delivered by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

About 350 foreign guests, including 10 ministers and 40 Muftis, participated in the international event, which wrapped up on Monday.

The conference is held annually on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in an effort to lay the ground for stronger unity and solidarity among Muslims and provide appropriate solutions for their problems.