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Iran is not happy.

Unlike his predecessor, President Trump has shown a clear desire to improve relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations. 

Trump negotiated a series of deals with Saudi Arabia during his visit there last week, including a massive $110 billion defense cooperation deal. 

Such cooperation is making Saudi Arabia’s archenemy very nervous.  

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Saudi Arabia is like a “cow being milked” by the US, and has accused SA of acting “cruel towards believers and kind toward pagans.” 

“The stupid Saudi government thinks it can attract the friendship of enemies by giving them money,” said Khamenei, adding that Saudi Arabia faces “certain downfall” for cooperating with the US.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (who wields significantly less power than Khamenei) insists that stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved without Iran’s help and has called for improved relations with Gulf Arab states.

“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,” said Rouhani.

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Shi’ite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia both deny and blame each other for funding Islamist terrorism. The two nations support opposite sides in the conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain.