*TEHRAN: Iran on Thursday lashed out at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed binSalman, calling him “simple-mind” after the powerful young royal likenedIran’s supreme leader to Adolf Hitler.*

“These words are worthless … because they come from a simple-mind full ofillusions who speaks only bitterness and lies,” said Iranian foreignministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi.

In an interview with CBS television, parts of which were released Thursday,Prince Mohammed also said that if Tehran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadhwill follow.

“Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without adoubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon aspossible,” the crown prince said.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “wants to create his ownproject in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand atthe time,” said the 32-year-old heir to the throne.

Prince Mohammed’s remarks were aired just days before he due to visitWashington for talks with US President Donald Trump. Agencies