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An Iranian clergyman peeling an orange as soldiers parade to mark Army Day in Tehran in 2004. (AP)
Last update - 22:56 15/04/2008
U.S.: Iranian threats to 'eliminate' Israel justify int'l sanctions
By Haaretz Service
Tags: IDF, Israel, Ben Eliezer 

In a new round in the war of words between Jerusalem and Tehran, the Iranian army's deputy chief threatened Tuesday to respond to any
military attack from Israel by 'eliminating' it.

The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that the comments showed the
i
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nternational community was right to sanction Iran.

It is "more unbelievable rhetoric out of the leadership of the Iranian government about attacking a fellow member of the United Nations," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. "Any civilized person finds that disturbing."

Iran's Deputy Chief of Staff Mohammed Rada Ashtiani was quoted earlier by the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr as saying: "If Israel wants to take any action against the Islamic Republic, we will eliminate Israel from the scene of the universe... Our answer to any military attack against Iran will be strong."

Ashtiani was speaking at a press conference to mark "Army Day," which will take place on April 17. He was referring to recent drills carried out by the Israel Defense Forces and the civilian population.

"As the President [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] has said, we have the motivation to defend the borders of our country," he added.

According to the officer, the Iranian armed forces are in a situation which does not allow to mount an attack on Iran via land.

The Iranian officer's comments came after Minister of National Infrastructures Benjamin Ben-Eliezer last week warned Iran that "an Iranian attack on Israel will lead to a harsh response by Israel that will cause the destruction of the Iranian nation."

In turn, Tehran blasted Ben-Eliezer's comments as "scandalous" and "insulting" in a complaint to the United Nations.

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      1.   This gets boring 13:10  |  Axel 15/04/08
      2.   NO ZIPPERS FOR IRAN!! 13:12  |  Iskander 15/04/08
      3.   Iranian Officer Like Iraqi Sahhaf 13:13  |  Khaled 15/04/08
      4.   MAD 13:16  |  Adel 15/04/08
      5.   War or words 13:17  |  Natallie Durson 15/04/08
      6.   So long as Iran does not attack first... 13:20  |  Sadiq M 15/04/08
      7.   He doesn`t know who he`s dealing with. 13:32  |  Allon 15/04/08
      8.   Iran already attacked first 13:32  |  ERSB 15/04/08
      9.   He who gathers the exiles. 13:33  |  Allon 15/04/08
      10.   Here here Natallie!! 13:36  |  Michael 15/04/08
      11.   WHO TALKS BS?? 13:37  |  Iskander 15/04/08
      12.   to natalie durson, #5 13:41  |  Igor D. 15/04/08
      13.   America Needs Iran more than Israel 13:42  |  Arabish 15/04/08
      14.   Not much Left Of Iran To Wipe Anyone Anywhere 13:44  |  dyinglikeflies 15/04/08
      15.   Iran has never attacked any country.The Iran-Iraq war was started 13:46  |  lakshmi 15/04/08
      16.   I wonder if there is a shortage of bread in Iran..? 13:48  |  Stephen. 15/04/08
      17.   Tom & Jerry 13:49  |  sinalco 15/04/08
      18.   Thing is... 13:50  |  Analyst 15/04/08
      19.   So let me understand this 13:50  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/04/08
      20.   these guys sound like 2 stupid kids 13:52  |  tony 15/04/08
      21.   Do we trust Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ? 13:56  |  Jean Van Daem 15/04/08
      22.   Why what they gonna use RUSTY T-55`s Wow we im shaking? 13:59  |  Frank 15/04/08
      23.   and Olmert will make sure it happens 14:00  |  chaim 15/04/08
      24.   Their getting destructed and us being wiped off the map. 14:01  |  S 15/04/08
      25.   Incorrect Nathallie 14:05  |  Gimpel the Fool 15/04/08
      26.   if Gnat durrsley nd | lakshmi attackck 14:11  |  Akiva P 15/04/08
      27.   The (verbal) war of our 2 (big) "babies"...... 14:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/04/08
      28.   Isn`t this stupid? Who is the one who is always threateningIsrael 14:18  |  Jo 15/04/08
      29.   Is Iran preparing for the destruction of the entire Middle East? 14:23  |  Someone is not 15/04/08
      30.   Kudos To Iranian defense. Shame on Israel for starting this 14:28  |  *BEN JABO 15/04/08
      31.   bye bye bye baby bye bye 14:28  |  hahaha 15/04/08
      32.   Chris Linthwaite ...trying to be clever 14:36  |  rich 15/04/08
      33.   19, Chris Lindthwaite, Yes, I agree MAD should be the order 14:40  |  The Equalizer 15/04/08
      34.   *sigh* Lakschmuck... 14:49  |  Oddvark 15/04/08
      35.   Let `em yell! 14:57  |  Tzfonit 15/04/08
      36.   TO NO 25. 14:58  |  DANNY. 15/04/08
      37.   Ben Eliezer`s threatening genocide? 14:59  |  Michael 15/04/08
      38.   For Natalie Durson 15:00  |  Speaking o` the Devi 15/04/08
      39.   Iranian officer`s remarks. 15:25  |  David Nigel Braham 15/04/08
      40.   #32 Rich of London 15:32  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/04/08
      41.   Iranian leaders don`t want to be martyrs.That`s for others to do. 15:42  |  Sam 15/04/08
      42.   lakshmi 15:44  |  marbpl 15/04/08
      43.   Are we getting into an "Egg" and "Chicken" situation? 15:46  |  JustMe 15/04/08
      44.   #32 Rich of London 15:47  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/04/08
      45.   To Na-zi-lie Durson 15:48  |  Dan 15/04/08
      46.   Ha, ha! 15:50  |  Nechama 15/04/08
      47.   Swiss Dino and ilk 15:52  |  Alain 15/04/08
      48.   Chris Lintwaite, You are totally wrong 15:55  |  Dan 15/04/08
      49.   Iranian Threat 15:58  |  Brod 15/04/08
      50.   #33 The Equalizer 16:02  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/04/08
      51.   Flood Iran with fake maps 16:02  |  cartographer 15/04/08
      52.   Iran is very polite in comparison ... 16:08  |  Bob 15/04/08
      53.   Poor Chris, no chance against Rich. 16:10  |  Stephen. 15/04/08
      54.   Let`s Look At The Numbers. 16:14  |  Cool B 15/04/08
      55.   As They Said in the School Yard. ... 16:14  |  Brad 15/04/08
      56.   There is no such expression in farsi. This news is total lie 16:17  |  Philip 15/04/08
      57.   #53 Stephen 16:30  |  Chris Linthwaite 15/04/08
      58.   Babling to distract.... 16:34  |  georges 15/04/08
      59.   eliminating israel 16:35  |  jorge luis 15/04/08
      60.   Natallie Durson 16:35  |  Tal 15/04/08
      61.   Top Iranian Army Officer 16:40  |  Gershon Ron 15/04/08
      62.   To Ignorant Natalie #5 16:57  |  Yermiyahu 15/04/08
      63.   34Oddvaark&42 marbpl 16:58  |  lakshmi 15/04/08
      64.   This region is full of idiots, all of you! 16:59  |  American 15/04/08
      65.   "Thank You" US ex-President James Earl Carter - 17:00  |  common sense 15/04/08
      66.   jorge louis;;;; another ignorant barbarian 17:01  |  MAN 15/04/08
      67.   Advice 17:02  |  American warrior 15/04/08
      68.   Philip if you live in Herzliya you`ll die with the rest of your 17:03  |  yo mamma 15/04/08
      69.   Chris you`re a revolting peasant 17:10  |  admirable Jew 15/04/08
      70.   To #64 "American" 17:13  |  Yermiyahu 15/04/08