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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday called Israel a "cancerous tumour" established by Western countries to advance their interests in the Middle East.

Iran's leaders frequently condemn Israel and predict its demise, but Rouhani, a relative moderate, rarely employs such rhetoric.

Addressing an annual Islamic Unity Conference on Saturday, Rouhani said "one of the ominous results of World War II was the formation of a cancerous tumour in the region." He went on to refer to Israel as a "fake regime" set up by Western countries.

Iran supports militant groups like Hizballah and Hamas that are pledged to Israel's destruction. Iran has never threatened to attack Israel, but has vowed to retaliate if it is attacked. Israel views Iran as an existential threat.

Rouhani said the United States cultivates close ties with "regional Muslim nations" to protect Israel, an apparent reference to Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's Sunni Arab allies. He said bowing to American pressure amounts to "treason."

He added, however, that Iran was prepared to defend Saudi Arabia from "terrorism and superpowers."

"We do consider you as a brother," he said. "We do consider the people of Mecca and Medina our brothers," he added, referring to Islam's two holiest cities in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran nearly three years ago after Iranian protesters stormed its diplomatic posts in Iran in response the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

The two countries support opposite sides in the wars in Syria and Yemen.

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