Iran: Israel incapable of military strike on us

As Iran holds annual Army Day parade in Tehran, Islamic Republic's top military brass reject notion that Israel could launch solo attack on its nuclear program: "The Zionist regime is not so unwise as to commit suicide."

By JPOST.COM STAFF

APRIL 18, 2013 15:00

Iran military parade 370 (photo credit: REUTERS) — Iran military parade 370

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Israel is not capable of launching a military strike against Iran, the commander of Iran's military said Thursday as the country held its annual Army Day parade in Tehran.

Official Iranian news agency Press TV quoted Maj.-Gen. Ataollah Salehi as saying that the Israeli regime was too weak to challenge Iran militarily.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2nd L) attends the Army Day parade in Tehran April 18, 2013 (Reuters)

"The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran gives a swift and crushing response to any aggression by enemies against our country with full preparedness,” he said at the parade, a show of Iranian military might attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Salehi stated that Iran would "not hesitate to give a response" to either an Israeli or US attack against Iran.

Members of Iranian Armed Forces march during the Army Day parade in Tehran April 18, 2013 (Reuters)

Salehi's comments came after Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said on Independence Day that Israel must prepare for the possibility of striking Iran's nuclear program on its own.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi also responded to the Israeli comments, saying they were "worthless threats," the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.