IRIB: "Israel on natural course of disintegration"

There is a debate in the West over what Iran's bellicose rhetoric towards Israel means. Jonathan Steele, speaking of the notorious "wiped off the map" remark, explained that "the Iranian president was expressing a vague wish for the future. He was not threatening an Iranian-initiated war to remove Israeli control over Jerusalem."

It is thus interesting to see Haddad-Adel, doing damage-control for the "countdown to destruction" remark, denying any Iranian plans to attack Israel. Of course, he might actually be taking a cue from the statements of Juan Cole, Steele, et al. Iran takes a keen interest in its image in the world, and it would certainly take note of its apologists.

From another perspective, Israel is constantly under attack by Tehran through Iran's backing of Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Hizbullah.

Iranian denials have a way of being self-canceling. For instance, denial that Iran's nuclear program is military will be coupled with the prediction that Iran is about to become "invincible." Here we learn that "'Israel' is on the natural course of disintegration because it has emerged in the region by force." If Israel's existence is being maintained by "force," what would be the cause of its "disintegration"? Superior force?

Iran's Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Sunday that the recent comments by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about destruction of 'Israel' did not mean Tehran intended to attack the occupied Palestine.

Speaking in a press conference before ending his three-day visit to the Persian Gulf state of Kuwait, the Speaker said: "what the President said is that 'Israel' is on the natural course of disintegration because it has emerged in the region by force. This issue is even discussed inside the occupied Palestine," Haddad-Adel stressed.

Asked if a deal between Iran and America would be possible over Tehran's nuclear case, as well as the issue of Iraq and Lebanon, the Speaker said: "We will not strike any deal to settle our nuclear case nor would we sacrifice the interests of the Iraqi and Lebanese peoples."

"Our stand over the nuclear issue is clear and there is no need to make any compromise with others in this regard. Peoples of Iraq and Lebanon also trust Iran and know that Tehran would make no deal with anyone over their interests out of respect for Islamic teachings," the Speaker stressed.

Asked what was his anticipation of the results of the next presidential and parliamentary elections in Iran, the Speaker said "It is difficult to say as there is complete freedom in Iran.["]

We certainly know that.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Tags: Iran, Israel, Ahmadinejad, bellicose rhetoric