Iran commander 'welcomes' possible Israeli strike

Head of Revolutionary Guard's air force says Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear facilities would give Tehran a reason to retaliate and 'get rid of' Jewish state 'forever'

A senior Iranian commander says a possible Israeli airstrike against his country's nuclear facilities is "welcome" because it would give Iran a reason to retaliate and "get rid of" the Jewish state "forever."

The remarks by Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guard's air force, were reported Saturday by the official IRNA news agency.

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Hajizadeh says in the event of an Israeli strike, Iran's response would be "swift, decisive and destructive."


Anti-Israel protest in Tehran (Photo: EPA)

But he also claims Israeli threats of a strike are just part of a psychological war against Iran.

His comments are the latest in a war of words between the archenemies.

On Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced Israel and said that "The very existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to humanity."

In the speech which was broadcast live on Iranian TV in honor of al-Quds Day Ahmadinejad added that "The western powers cannot tolerate criticism of the Zionist regime. They feel compelled to defend it."