Iranian rhetoric grows aggressive

TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Iranian leaders have increased their threatening rhetoric against the United States in the wake of a military strike in Syria, statements show.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the level of disdain for the United States was "profound," adding "anyone who wished to trample the identity and independence of the Iranian nation would have his hand cut off by it."

His statements come on the heels of a contentious U.S. military strike in Syria against al-Qaida operatives there. Earlier this week, in statements translated by The Middle East Research Institute, Iranian parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani warned American military might could not withstand the will of martyrdom.

"Today, this path (of martyrdom) has defeated the unilateral aggressiveness of America and the Zionists, and has forced them to withdraw," he said.

Meanwhile, Gen. Yadallah Javani with the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guards said any U.S. military action against Iran would be met with a "crushing counterblow" against Washington allies, adding Israel was within the reach of the Iranian military arsenal.

"All of Israel's territory lies within the range of Iran's missiles and those of its allies in the region, so Israel should not feel too smug about its anti-missile (defense) systems," he said.