Consider this an update to last February, when another high-ranking Iranian official pledged to “kill all Jews and annihilate Israel.” Last time, the genocidal threat came from Supreme Leader Khamenei’s strategy specialist Alireza Forghani, and was published on a Khamenei- linked website. This time, it’s Hassan Firouzabadi, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, via what might politely be called the government-affiliated FARS outlet:

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi… reiterated the Iranian nation and Supreme Leader’s emphasis on the necessity of support for the oppressed Palestinian nation and its causes, and noted, “The Iranian nation is standing for its cause that is the full annihilation of Israel.” The top military official reminded that the Iranian Supreme Leader considers defending Palestine as a full religious duty and believes that any kind of governance and rule by anyone other than the Palestinians as an instance of usurpation.

No doubt Iranian apologists will soon explain how the Iranian outlet FARS – which is where this passage comes from – is mistranslating Firouzabadi. Maybe the IRCG stooges who work there just don’t understand Farsi!

Do note, nevertheless, how Firouzabadi emphasizes the annihilation of Israel as a religious duty. That too echoes the previous February announcement, which laid out a “jurisprudential justification” for the final war against the Jewish State. Last week, the Iranians actually held a conference on the theme, with one Iranian official calling for an “Islamic awakening” to wipe out Israel.

Meanwhile the Obama administration is – per Haaretz – “radiating optimism” about cooperating with Iran:

The Obama administration and the Iranian regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are entering a critical week of decisions over the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. The sides are moving toward a “warming of relations alongside enrichment”, whereby the relationship between Washington and Tehran will improve, while Iran continues enriching uranium without pursuing a weapons program, but does not give up on its existing program. The threat of American or Israeli military action still exists, yet no one is holding the gun to Iran’s head. Several developments have taken place in the last couple of days, causing the White House to radiate optimism.

This news comes in the midst of a campaign of anti-Israel leaks, among them complaints hitting Jerusalem for its “narrow definition” of the Iranian threat. Seriously. Why can’t the Israelis just relax already?