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Iran's new president has called Israel an "old wound" that should be removed in comments published just two days ahead of his inauguration.
Hasan Rouhani's remarks about Israel his country's archenemy echo those of other Iranian leaders.
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency says Rouhani spoke after taking part in an annual pro-Palestine rally in Tehran today.
The report quoted Rouhani as saying: "The Zionist regime has been a wound on the body of the Islamic world for years and the wound should be removed."
Rouhani won a landslide victory in Iran's June 14 presidential election. He replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.
Rouhani has pledged to follow a "path of moderation" and promised greater openness over Iran's nuclear program, which has placed it at odds with the West.
