Tensions mount between U.S. and Iran over nuclear talks, Yemen

On April 18 Iran marked its national Army Day with a military parade with intent to intimidate and threaten the west, especially the U.S. and Israel, showcasing new weapons systems and even a truck which carried a large banner that read "Death to Israel."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - This wasn't the only show of contempt towards one of the most stable states in the Middle East, and television announcers went so far as to threaten the Jewish state with war.

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"If Israel makes a mistake, those in Tel Aviv and Haifa will not sleep at night, not one person," one announcer on state television said.

Iran's national television broadcasts showed numerous senior military commanders, political leaders and President Hassan Rouhani in attendance as the parade moved through Tehran.

Among the armament on display was Iranian manufactured versions of the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile.

President Rouhani criticized Saudi Arabia as well as Israel and the U.S., primarily over their actions in Yemen, including a limited air campaign which targeted Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

"What does bombing the innocent... Yemeni people mean?" asked Rouhani. "What goals are your pursuing? Will killing children bring power to you? You planted the seeds of hatred in this region and you will see the response sooner or later.

"Don't bomb children, elderly men and women in Yemen. Attacking the oppressed will bring disgrace... for the aggressors."

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has already been calling the Saudis perpetrators of "genocide" over their campaign in Yemen. However, Iranian leaders have denied so far that they have been supplying weapons to rebels in Yemen in order to increase tensions and throw the region into chaos.

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