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Iran’s Khamenei: Israel won’t exist in 25 years
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei yesterday threatened that Israel “will not see” the next 25 years. His comments came just days after it became clear that US Congress will not be able to prevent July’s nuclear accord.
Khamenei said via Twitter that Israel had opposed the nuclear deal, but that “Firstly, you will not see next 25 years; God willing, there will be nothing as Zionist regime by next 25 years. Secondly, until then, struggling, heroic and jihadi morale will leave no moment of serenity for Zionists.” The incendiary comments follow Khamenei’s pledge last month to support the likes of Hezbollah, who fight Israel by “all possible means.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Khamenei’s comments leave “no room for illusion” to supporters of the nuclear accord and that “all responsible countries need to cooperate to thwart the aggression and terror of Iran. Unfortunately, these will grow as a result of the deal.”
Khamenei’s remarks yesterday also took aim at the United States, which he referred to as the “Great Satan.” He ruled out any détente with Washington, saying, “We approved talks with the United States about [the] nuclear issue specifically. We have not allowed talks with the US in other fields and we [do] not negotiate with them.” Any further talks, said Khamenei, would be “a tool for penetration and imposing their demands.”
It became clear earlier this week that US President Barack Obama has mustered sufficient support to avoid a Congressional veto of the recent nuclear deal, which will see sanctions on Iran gradually lifted in return for a decade-long cessation of nuclear development. However, the Financial Times online suggests that Republican opponents will continue their campaign against the agreement, by arguing that details of the accord’s side deals must be published in order for the Congressional review period to actually begin. Meanwhile, US Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton yesterday said that she would use military force if Iran reneged on the accord.