A leading Iranian ayatollah vowed in weekly prayer service in Tehran that the Islamic Republic "will turn Tel Aviv and Haifa to rubble," according to a translation of his remarks.
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts, which answers to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said that Iran is "strengthening its missile power on a daily basis" and is on the verge of turning "Tel Aviv and Haifa to rubble," according to a translation of his remarks by the Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI, a regional monitoring organization.
Khatami also took aim at President Donald Trump, saying the Iranian people are "more unified and stronger than ever" in their commitment to the slogan, "Death to America."
U.S. allies such as Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia will become "America's cannon fodder," Khatami claimed.
"The Islamic Republic is strengthening its missile power on a daily basis, so that Israel, that plundering regime, will not be able to sleep, and nightmares will constantly be present before its eyes. If Israel makes a mistake, we will turn Tel Aviv and Haifa to rubble," the ayatollah said.
"Mr. Trump! A few days ago, you said that the 'Death to America' [slogan] was fading in Iran," Khatami said. "This is Tehran, the heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the people here, more unified and stronger than ever, say: 'Death to America!'"
In response to these remarks, a crowd of Iranian chanted in unison, "Death to America!"