During a speech at Islamic Azad University in Mashhad, Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam criticized the rhetoric of Iranian officials on Israel.
“Iran has explicitly stated many times that it wants to destroy Israel,” Zibakalam said. “None of the other countries that have a nuclear program have stated that they want to destroy a country.” According to the Iranian Students’ News Agency, the issue of Israel was raised as Zibakalam addressed the pressure and sanctions Iran has faced over its nuclear program.