Longtime newsman Dan Rather said that there is "no question" Iran desires nuclear weapons so that they can annihilate the state of Israel.
"There’s no question that they want to have nuclear weapons," Rather told New York City radio host Curtis Sliwa on AM 970 THE ANSWER. "There’s no question they’re determined to get one and are working as hard as they can."
"Make no mistake," Rather added. "The Iranian leadership is dedicated to annihilating Israel."
So long as Iran’s radical leaders Ayatollah Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remain in power, the U.S. remains "right on the razors edge of another war in the Persian gulf," said Rather, striking an unusually ominous tone.
Israel should not be pressured to hold off on an attack against Iran’s nuclear sites, Rather said.
"Israel has a right and an obligation to make its own decisions for itself," he said.
"Israel is without question considering an attack on Iran, and if she attacks Iran, she will have U.S. support."
Rather further noted that if he were a member of the Israeli government, "I would be extremely worried. I would never stop worrying about the ayatollah’s commitment to the total annihilation of Israel."