On Thursday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went on state television and urged all Muslim nations to resist America and its allies.
According to Reuters, Khameini blustered, “The Iranian nation has successfully resisted bullying attempts by America and other arrogant powers and we will continue to resist. All Muslim nations should stand united against America and other enemies.”
Iranian leaders have been ratcheting up their belligerent rhetoric in recent days as the deadline draws nearer for President Trump to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal that Barack Obama signed in 2015. The deal meant the West stopped imposing sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program.
Khameini swaggered, “It has been 40 years that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been standing against the bullying of arrogant [powers], and has achieved growing progress, capability and power to the dismay of the enemies, who were seeking to destroy this establishment. … Unfortunately, Muslim countries have been grappling with backwardness and dominance of the infidels, as they do not practice the [teachings] of the Qur’an.”
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman was interviewed by Elaph, a Saudi website, and responded to the rhetoric coming from Iran. He said that if Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel “will strike Tehran and destroy every Iranian military site that threatens Israel in Syria, whatever the price.” Lieberman hinted that the Iranian regime was on its last legs.