Heil Khamenei!

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader says his country will assist any nation or group that “confronts” Israel, describing it as a “cancer”.

The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came during a Friday prayer ceremony in Tehran broadcast on state television.

Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, says that Iran has helped the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas in their fights against Israel, and will aid others who do so.

He describes Israel as a “cancer” and says, “It will be cut.”

Iran’s Khamenei said the Islamic Republic would not yield to international pressure to abandon its nuclear course, threatening retaliation for sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil exports.

“I have no fear of saying that we will back and help any nation or group that wants to confront and fight against the Zionist regime (Israel).”