Iran, Israel on collision course: Khamenei

IRAN’S highest authority lashed out against Israel on Friday with some of his harshest comments in recent memory about the Jewish state, reported LA Times.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is Iran’s top political and military figure, said his country’s hostility to Israel extended beyond the government to the Israeli people as well. In saying so, he was brushing aside recent overtures by top Iranian officials to the Israeli public.

Khamenei said Iran and Israel were on a “collision course,” a statement that could further increase tensions in Middle East already fearful of a conflict between the two countries.

“Who are Israelis?” Khamenei told thousands of worshipers gathered for Friday prayers in downtown Tehran. “They are responsible for usurping houses, territory, farmlands and businesses. They are combatants at the disposal of Zionist operatives. A Muslim nation cannot remain indifferent vis-a-vis such people who are stooges at the service of the arch-foes of the Muslim world.”