Western countries are condemning statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad that Israel should be “wiped off the map.”
Addressing some 3,000 students in Tehran, he said leaders of Muslim nations who recognize Israel will “face the wrath of their own people.”
Officials from the United States said Ahmadi Nejad’s comments underline Iran’s controversial nuclear program, which the U.S. and Israel believe is covertly used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
Iran has in the past paraded military equipment, including missiles, which it says can reach Israel.
Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Tehran is facing strong international pressure over the program and runs a risk of being referred to the United Nations Security Council over the issue.
Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom have summoned Iranian diplomats, demanding an explanation.
Spokesman of the State Department Sean McCormack said the comment “only serves to underscore our concern, as well as the international community’s concern, about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Dan Gillerman demanded, on instructions of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, that the U.N. remove Iran from the organization, following the president’s remarks.