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Iran Warning: Israel's Nuclear Sites Within Reach





By VOA News
25 July 2009

Iran's Revolutionary Guards corps is warning it will respond to any attack by Israel with a strike on nuclear sites in the Jewish state.

Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Ali Jafari told state-run media Saturday that Iran's missiles are now capable of hitting targets in Israel, and that any Israeli attack would be met with a "firm and precise" response.







Israel sees Iran as a threat because of its nuclear program, and has been widely reported to be considering a pre-emptive strike. Like the United States, Britain and other Western countries, Israel does not believe Iran's claims that its program is for peaceful purposes.

On Friday, Iran's first vice president stepped down after heavy criticism for comments he made about Israel. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie said last year that Iran is a friend of all people in the world, including Israelis, even though Iran does not formally recognize Israel.

Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie has close ties to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Mashaie's daughter is married to Mr. Ahmadinejad's son.

Mr. Ahmadinejad has previously called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.



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