But I am sure he was just referring to the Israeli government, and not threatening actual genocide </sarcasm>
Iran will destroy the United States and its allies if they cross Tehran’s red lines, the head of the country’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in an address to a pro-government rally denouncing last week’s violent protests over the rise in fuel prices.
Addressing thousands of demonstrators in the capital on Monday, General Hossein Salami accused the US, the United Kingdom, Israel and Saudi Arabia of stoking the unrest, in which dozens were killed by Iran’s security forces.
“We have shown restraint … we have shown patience towards the hostile moves of America, the Zionist regime [Israel] and Saudi Arabia against the Islamic Republic of Iran … but we will destroy them if they cross our red lines,” he said.
The demonstrators, waving the Iranian flag and banners that read “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”, descended on Enqelab (Revolution) Square. Some in the crowd set fire to American flags.
To those who think General Salami’s threat does not cut the mustard, I think we should take it seriously (even though in his diatribe he sandwiched Israel between the US and Saudi Arabia). The Iranians have found themselves in a pickle after US sanctions took their toll, but nevertheless have played ketchup with their nuclear program.
