Anti-Israeli comments nothing new, Iran public laments

Iranians shrugged off their President's anti-Israeli diatribe as part of everyday rhetoric emanating from the leadership, as they predicted further isolation for their country.

"This is not anything new. Ayatollah Khomeini had said this before but I think it is irrational to say a whole country should be wiped off the face of the Earth, said 30-year-old civil engineer Mehran.

"When the heads of a state say such irrational things it's natural that opinion in the international community will turn against Iran."

On the street, there is a sense of weariness that Iran's image has again been criticised abroad. "I don't understand how he can say stuff like that - people abroad will just see us as irrational," said 21-year-old factory worker Nader.

"Ahmadinejad just says things to appeal to his core supporters. He hasn't done anything for our foreign policy yet."

Ahmad Mirani, 55, who works in a estate agency, said: "He meant to say something to please those who voted for him. It is not meant to have any practical results but it will isolate us internationally."

Analysts say that there is also concern within the regime about the President's understanding of political and diplomatic realities. They say he does not understand the weight his words carry internationally.

"Others could have made such accusations with no serious implications but when a president does that, it's bound to have significant negative implications," said publisher A. Taherian.

"His talk about Israel is like a card a player is keeping up his sleeve is slammed on the table."

"I really don't think Iran will do anything more hostile against Israel," said one Tehran-based analyst who declined to be named.

"Ahmadinejad is a populist and speaks from the heart.

"I am sure Ahmadinejad does want to see a world without Israel or America but he won't actually do anything about them."

The President's comments further show up the new administration's foreign policy weakness.

Diplomats in Tehran talk scathingly about their new opposite numbers at the foreign ministry, who they say are often unaware of basic diplomatic protocol.

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