Report: Rouhani requests removal of 'Death to Israel' from Iranian missiles
Experts say Rouhani fears the slogan will work against the agenda of peace and stability he is promoting in his speeches.
By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUAUpdated: APRIL 25, 2016 23:53Iranian President Hassan Rouhani(photo credit: HO / IRANIAN PRESIDENCY WEBSITE / AFP)
Iranian media reported on Monday that President Hassan Rouhani requested to remove the words “Death to Israel” from the ballistic missiles belonging to his country.According to the report, Rouhani sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei requesting to remove the print from the rockets.Rouhani’s demand came after Khamenei himself used the line “Death to Israel,” a slogan that was written on the missiles used in the last drills run by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.Rouhani condemned the slogan at the time.Experts on Iranian affairs explained that Rouhani fully understands the influence of the Israel lobby on decisions related to Israel in the European Union and the United States and is concerned that the slogan will work against the agenda he is trying to promote in his speeches, one of peace and stability in the Middle East.Reuters contributed to this report.