Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei Says Israel 'Will Not Exist in 25 Years'

Tehran, Iran -

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Israel "will not exist in 25 years", according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Khamenei, who has frequently called for the destruction of Israel, made the remarks during a meeting with senior Iranian officials in Tehran.

"The Zionist regime is a cancerous tumor that will eventually be removed," Khamenei said. "The countdown has begun for the annihilation of this regime."

Khamenei's comments come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel over the killing of a top Iranian nuclear scientist last week.

Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, but Iran has accused Israel of carrying out the attack.

Fakhrizadeh was a key figure in Iran's nuclear program, and his death has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.

Khamenei's latest remarks are likely to further inflame tensions between Iran and Israel.

It remains to be seen how Iran will respond to the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but Khamenei's comments suggest that the country is prepared to take action against Israel.