Article: Israel And The Last Days
 

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared Wednesday that Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities are crucial for the country’s defense, and  - in an apparent swipe at an influential former president -- added that those who argue that this is a time for talks rather than for missiles are either ignorant or traitors.   He praised the recent demonstrations of missile prowess by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), saying – according to a statement on his website – they were “a source of happiness for those nations that have been wronged by the United States and the Zionist regime of Israel, and are at the same time unable to do anything about it.”   In the “jungle-like circumstances” of today’s world, Khamenei argued, if Iran focuses on negotiations and economic and technological exchanges but neglects its defensive capacity, then it will find itself backing down in the face of threats by even “petty countries.”   He accused Iran’s foes – “the global arrogance” – of using all means at their disposal to undermine Iran – political, economic, cultural and military.   Iran carried out ballistic missile launches on Oct. 10, Nov. 21, and again early this month. In the most recent round, photos of missiles disseminated in Iranian media showed Hebrew inscriptions on the casing stating that “Israel must be wipe off the earth.”