Jannati: Israel, US nearing their fall

Israel and its main supporter, the US, are speeding toward their decline, while Islamic countries such as Iran and Turkey are rising, says a senior Iranian cleric.

In a Wednesday meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Umit Yardim, secretary of the Guardian Council Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati urged Muslim countries “to unite, set aside their differences, use their vast potentials and not fear threats made by the US and its allies.”

“After suffering successive defeats over the past years from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas, the Zionist regime (Israel) is seeking to take revenge on the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine,” Fars News Agency quoted Ayatollah Jannati as saying.

Ayatollah Jannati said the recent border clashes between Israeli and Lebanese soldiers were a move on the part of Tel Aviv to assess their readiness for a confrontation.

“Despite such efforts, Hezbollah, the Lebanese government and people are united [when it comes to] resisting any assault by Israel.”

Yardim for his part said Turkey considers Iran a key player in the region and the world, and is interested in expanding ties in all sectors.

“Cooperation between Iran and Turkey is essential to establishing peace, stability, welfare and security in the region and throughout the world,” the Turkish envoy was quoted as saying.