Iran’s Supreme Leader Publicly Denounces Israel
The New York Times reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attempted to clear up any public confusion about the nation’s policy toward Israel, saying that “it is wrong to say that we are friends with Israeli people like people in other parts of the world.” His remarks come in response to a statement made by Iran’s Vice President of Tourism, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, who said that Iran is a friend to the Israeli people.
The newspaper speculated that these remarks by the Supreme Leader are intended to show public support for President Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly denounced Israel and even gone so far as to say the country should be “wiped off the map.” Such rhetoric is only exacerbating the already strained relations between the two nations, both of which have issued statements that they are prepared to use military force against the other.
Steven Craig
