WorldIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Tuesday for the “complete liberation” of Palestine from the “tumour” of Israel, renewing his regime's refusal to recognise Israel's right to exist. “It continues to advance towards its other objectives, ultimately the complete liberation of Palestine,” he added. Ever since the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran has been implacable in its opposition to Israel and has provided extensive support to Palestinian militant groups. But Khamenei's renewed reference to Israel as a “tumour” comes as new US President Donald Trump fills his administration with appointees with hawkishly pro-Israel and anti-Iran views. Trump's pick for ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has gone on the record calling on Sunni Arab states to ally with the Jewish state against Shiite Iran.

Source: Sunday Times February 21, 2017 10:39 UTC