Israel's collapse is 'imminent,' Iran's IRGC chief says in threat

Salami was quoted by Islamic Republic state media as claiming that Zionists "are so weak that they cannot bear the existence of Palestinian women and children."

 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, speaks during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran, Iran, November 18, 2023 (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, speaks during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran, Iran, November 18, 2023
(photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

The State of Israel's collapse is imminent, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps chief Hossein Salami said in a Thursday evening address.

Salami was quoted by Islamic Republic state media as claiming that Zionists "are so weak that they cannot bear the existence of Palestinian women and children," a "clear sign" of the "collapse of the fake Israeli regime," he added.

The IRGC chief continued, saying that Israel's war in Gaza had triggered a global aversion to Israel. "The world’s hatred of Zionists is not confined to Muslims anymore," Salami was quoted as saying.

"People have rallied against Zionists even next to the White House and in the streets of London and Europe," referencing anti-Zionist marches that have taken place across the globe following Hamas's October 7 massacre of Israelis.

Iran warns of Middle East explosion

The continuation of the Gaza war will lead to a regional explosion, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told the Doha Forum on Monday, as he explained that the scope of the conflict had already expanded to include Lebanon and Yemen.

 Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on December 14, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on December 14, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

“At any moment, there is a possibility of a big explosion in the region, one not controllable by any party,” he said as he spoke through an English language translator in a virtual interview conducted by CNN’s Becky Anderson.

Britain said it had adopted a new sanctions regime against Iran on Thursday as it announced measures against seven individuals, including the head of Tehran's Quds Force, for threatening or planning the destabilization of Israel.