“The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.  I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.  I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’” (Exodus 15:9)

Despite the nuclear deal, Iran continues anti-Israel rhetoric.  

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed Tuesday that Iran is ready to work with others in a “united front” against Israel.

“We are ready to cooperate with all friends that believe in the necessity of forming a united front against the Zionist enemy and against divisive attempts,” said Zarif, meeting in Tunis with Rashid al-Ghannushi, the head of the Ennahda Party—Tunisia’s main Islamic faction.  (Tasnim)

US Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran in Vienna, Austria, on November 23, 2014, before the two begin a one-on-one meeting amid broader negotiations about the future of Iran’s nuclear program.  (State Department photo)

In words, deeds and media that seem to illustrate the great battles of Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, Iran has continued to call for Israel’s destruction, even while talks over its nuclear program were in motion.  

During the negotiations, Iran refused to consider lifting pressure on Israel by stopping Iranian activity in Syria, Yemen and Gaza.

Last Monday at an international conference to remember Iranian terror victims, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Israel, not Iran, has a foundation and a legacy of terror.

“This [Zionist] regime began its work on the basis of intimidation, terror and occupation, and is continuing [on] the same anti-human path today,” Rouhani said.

While many in the West ignore such statements, believing that they do not reflect the real Iran, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Iran last Monday for its comments against Israel.

“It is not acceptable how Iran continues to talk about Israel,” Merkel said.  “It is a disappointment that there has been no change as far as the recognition of Israel goes.”  (Reuters)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo by FNDE)

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he believes that the rhetoric of Iran’s leaders is different from Iranian foreign policy, but top aides to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reject that idea.

“Such words are incorrect since one of the driving goals of the Islamic Revolution has been campaign against the arrogant powers.  We haven’t recognized the Zionist regime since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution and such a policy will continue,” Ayatollah aide Seyed Mahmoud Nabavi told Iran’s Fars news agency.  (Israel National News)

Meanwhile, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which will be voted upon by Congress this month, preserves Iran’s notable nuclear capabilities and endorses the existence of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, while assisting with millions of dollars in sanctions relief.

“This deal gives the world’s leading terrorist state a safe path to the bomb that threatens Israel, the Middle East and the world,” said Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu this April.  (JPost)