Iran is the 'spearhead of global terrorism', Saudi king claims

'We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism' King Salman says

The Saudi king has claimed his country's regional rival Iran is the “tip of the spear” for global terrorism in a speech during Donald Trump’s visit to the country.

King Salman said: “Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are… The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism."

He also warned against those who would finance terrorism, saying: "We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism, in any way or means, to the full force of the law."

The address came at a gathering of more than 50 majority-Muslim countries at the Arab summit in Riyadh. Notably, Syria and Iran were absent from the talks.

The accusation that Iran is exporting extremism to the world demonstrated the regional and sectarian tensions that divide Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.

The Independent’s Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk argued that Mr Trump’s trip to the region would inflame an already electric political climate.

In the televised address, the king told audiences across the world that “we did not know terrorism and extremism until the Khomeini revolution reared its head”, referring to the 1979 Iranian revolution.

Saudi Arabia and the US recently announced a $110bn (£84.4bn) arms deal – the largest in the history of the country.

Speaking after the king, Donald Trump echoed his sentiments, and blamed Iran for providing Syria with "safe harbour, financial backing and the social standing needed for recruitment [of terrorists]".