The Danger Of Iranian Rhetoric

Published: Oct 9, 2007

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a dangerous leader in a violent part of the world.

There is a temptation in this country to dismiss him as a nuisance too lubricious and weak to do us much damage. Underestimating him would be a mistake. The White House must avoid an overreaction, but it cannot let words of war go unchallenged.

Friday Ahmadinejad said the existence of Israel is a "threat to human dignity" and that Iran would keep its hands around the throats of Zionists and their supporters. In response the crowd shouted "death to Israel; death to America."

By arming anti-Israel terrorists and suggesting Israel be relocated to Canada or Alaska, Ahmadinejad is complicating sensitive negations between Palestinians and Israelis who both want a fair peace and to continue living side-by-side.

Iran is also responsible for the deaths of some American troops in Iraq.

Gen. David Petraeus says Iran is "responsible for providing the weapons, the training, the funding and in some cases the direction for operations that have indeed killed U.S. soldiers."

Ahmadinejad, even without nuclear weapons, is a menace who must be deterred and contained.