http://dailycaller.com/2013/10/14/top-iran-cleric-says-israel-must-be-destroyed-warns-u-s/

The recognition of Israel as
illegitimate is one of the principles of
Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, and
even today the Islamic Republic
believes Israel must be destroyed, a
senior Iranian cleric close to the
supreme leader said Saturday night.
Ayatollah Sayyid Ahmad Khatami, a
member of the Assembly of Experts —
the body that chooses the supreme
leader — also condemned any effort
for improved relations with America
and warned that nothing is ruled out
against the United States, according
to Tasnim News Agency, a regime
media outlet.
Referring to those who believe talks
with the U.S. would be beneficial,
Khatami said, “If we take one step
back, then we have to retreat 10
steps.”
The ayatollah said that during
President Hassan Rouhani’s recent
trip to the United States to attend the
opening session of the U.N. General
Assembly, “The American politicians
put out many diplomatic smiles.”
But at a meeting between President
Obama and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu at the same
time, “The American president stated
that all options are on the table,
including the military option. We too
have all the options on the table
against America, one of those a
strong punch in the mouth to
America, the world’s oppressor.”
Khatami said that in resolving the
nuclear issue, the West “will then
raise the issue of human rights,
stating that women must have all the
rights that men have.” He added that
the holy slogans of “death to
America” and “death to Israel” will
never be removed and reiterated the
regime’s position that Israel must be
annihilated, and anyone stating
otherwise is “Anti-Supreme Leader,”
which carries a death penalty under
the laws of the Islamic Republic.
“Even if one day there are
negotiations and contact with
America, our hatred for infidels and
oppressors will never cease,”
Khatami said. “… the end of the story
by America is this, that they want us
to open the way for them to come
and loot this country [of its
resources]. However America must
know that it will take this dream to
its grave.”
Rouhani, in an effort to ease tensions
between Iran and America to remove
some of the sanctions that are
crushing the regime’s economy, has
requested a moderation in tone from
regime officials. At the same time,
Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, a
former president and an influential
politician since the early days of the
revolution, recently pushed for the
removal of the “death to America”
slogan, which hardliners strongly
opposed.
According to a source in the regime’s
intelligence ministry — one who
cannot be named for security
purposes — the regime is unified in
this new tactic of showing a
moderate face in order to deceive the
West into relieving some sanctions.
Those officials are fully aware that
Iran’s foreign currency reserves are
almost depleted and that their
economy soon will be on the verge of
collapse. However, the source added,
the loyalists can only tolerate a
certain level of rapprochement even
though they know it’s only for show.
Iranian television Sunday quoted
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi that the transfer of Iran’s
nuclear material out of the country is
its red line. Other officials previously
stated that the regime might
negotiate over the level of enrichment
but will not stop its enrichment
program.
Iran and the world powers 5+1 are set
to discuss the country’s nuclear
program on Tuesday in Geneva.
Despite several United Nations
resolutions and sanctions by the
U.N., United States and European
Union demanding a halt to Iran’s
illicit nuclear program, the Islamic
Regime has significantly expanded
the program and currently has over
18,000 centrifuges, with enough
enriched uranium for more than six
nuclear bombs. At the same time, it
is set to complete its heavy-water
plant, which would give the regime a
second path to nuclear weapons by
acquiring weapons-grade plutonium.

I think the fact that Iran is facing hardtimes mostly from the condemnation they face worldwide and the sour atttitude they've put on in the stand-off between Iran and the West seems to make them reconsider their stance against the world.

On another scale,Netanyu shouldn't be seen as a prowling Lion,let's remember he said,"Rouhani is a wolf in sheeps clothing".If I'm to believe this article,the policies of Iranian Supreme Leadership has changed its position,but it has failed in re-orientating its members from publicly making statements against Israel,America and the West.These statements are provocative and misleading and unacceptable before the eyes of the world.

If progress is to be made to relax the sanctions on Iran and work out a solution for their nuclear program,members of the Islamic community should refrain from statements that inspire anti-israel/anti-american hate,also Iran should make itself more presentable to the international community by being more transparent and speak with one voice and not grunting voices from different members in it's leadership caste.

Rouhani seems to be more relaxed a bit that Ahmadinejaed.He's not as aggressive either with his policies.He could be deceiving the world,but he wants to see Iran lifted and it's image repainted.The world will be on the look out.

Every day "Israel must be destroyed. "

Make them see Israel go destroy na...

Abi who dey hold the.?

After the 3 day Israeli- Arab war and the October war, Arabs now believe that Israel cannot be destroyed so this Cleric must be living in the medieval period if hes still talking like this.

Iran should focus on developing its country's economy and not just military. Its not always about wars