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Iran threatened to wipe out Israel if it comes under Israeli attack.

“If Israel wants to take any action against the Islamic Republic, we will eliminate Israel from the universe,” Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, deputy commander of the Iranian armed forces, was quoted as saying Tuesday at a news conference ahead of National Army Day.

“Our response to any military strike on Iran will be strong.”

Ashtiani’s comments appeared to be in reaction to a warning last week by Israel’s national infrastructure minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, that the Jewish state could destroy Iran if attacked.

Israeli defense experts played down the Iranian rhetoric, noting that for now Tehran does not have the military means to destroy any foe — though that would change if it obtained nuclear weapons.

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