Official: Iran 'Ready and Willing to Wipe Israel Off the Map

Amid increasing warnings that Israel is preparing a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, an Iranian official vowed flatly that any such attack would result in Israel being wiped "off the map."

"Any act by the Zionist regime against Iran will bring about its destruction," Deputy Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Friday according to Ynet News.

Vahidi's comments come after a U.N. atomic agency report released Friday that Iran has increased production of higher-grade enriched uranium, and follow similar remarks made earlier this week that if Iran feels threatened by any of its enemies, it won't hesitate to launch a preemptive strike.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring past Hezbollah leaders, Vahidi said the terrorist organization is "at the forefront of the fight against Israel and it is growing stronger by the day."

"Israel is weaker than it has ever been and its army is tired and humiliated," he said. "This is why it is trying to solve its problems by talking about taking action against Iran. But these are ridiculous statements."

"Iran's warriors are ready and willing to wipe Israel off the map," Vahidi said.