JERUSALEM (JTA) — Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his army would "cut off" the hands of those who attack his country.
The Iranian president made the threat in an address to the nation Tuesday shortly before leaving for New York and the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
"No power will ever dare to think of launching aggression against Iran. Today, Iran is experienced and powerful," he said, according to the official Iranian news agency. "Our armed forces are ready to confront the forces of darkness. If anybody wants to shoot a bullet at us from anywhere, we will cut off his hands."
The remarks come following Ahmadinejad’s statement last Friday that the Holocaust was "a lie."
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates that Israel had not taken any option off the table when it comes to Iran’s nuclear program, including a military strike on the reactor.
Also Monday, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi told Army Radio that he would not rule out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
"Israel has the right to defend itself," Ashkenazi said, "and all options are on the table."
