In a speech marking annual Army Day, the president also reiterated his view that the presence of foreign forces is causing conflict in the region.
“The Zionist regime is on its way to collapse,” Ahmadinejad, known for his strong anti-Israel rhetoric, said in an address delivered near the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s revolutionary leader.
“This is the will of the regional nations that after 60 odd years, the root of this corrupt microbe and the main reason for insecurity in the region be pulled out.” Ahmadinejad, who previously has angered Israel and Western countries for asserting that the Holocaust is a “myth,” said that the “murderess” Jewish state was behind turmoil in the region.
“This regime is the main instigator of sedition and conflict in the region,” the hard-liner, flanked by Iran’s top military brass, said from the podium.
“I want its supporters and creators to stop backing it and allow the regional nations and the Palestinians to settle things with them,” he said without elaborating.
Ahmadinejad also demanded foreign forces quit the region.
Ahmadinejad also said Iran had the military might to deter attacks, his comments coming as Western pressure mounts on the Islamic state to dispel fears it is developing nuclear arms.
Ahmadinejad said the “unrivalled” power of Iranian military secured stability in the Middle East.
Tension with the West has risen in recent months because Iran refuses to scrap sensitive nuclear activities as demanded by the United Nations Security Council. Tehran rejects Western accusations its nuclear work is aimed at making bombs.
“Iran’s armed forces are so strong today that the enemies will not even think about violating our territorial integrity,” Ahmadinejad said.
Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East’s only atomic arsenal, has described Iran’s nuclear program as a threat to its existence. Although it says it wants a diplomatic solution, Washington has also not ruled out military action.
Troops marched in front of the podium where Ahmadinejad stood with army officers. Some had uniforms in green, white or red - the colors of Iran’s flag. Others wore combat gear.
Iran’s Shahab 3 missile, which Iranian officials say has a range of about 2,000 km that potentially puts Israel and US bases in the Gulf within reach, was displayed.
Helicopters flew overhead and parachutists landed on the parade area near the tomb Khomeini.
The United States and its European allies are pushing for a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend sensitive nuclear work. Washington broke ties with Iran shortly after the 1979 revolution and Tehran reuses to recognize Israel.
Iran has said it would respond to any attack by targeting US interests in the region and Israel, as well as closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for world oil supplies.
Some experts cast doubt about Iran’s military capabilities to deter any attack.
“The Iranian military is capable of creating mischief...but to actually achieve military superiority is highly unlikely,” Theodore Karasik, research director at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, told Reuters.
He said Iran’s military doctrine was focused on “asymmetric warfare” like using mines and speedboats, to try to disrupt enemy operations.
Ahmadinejad urged regional countries to unite to end presence of US-led forces in the Middle East.
“The only way to secure stability and peace in the region is the cooperation and solidarity of the region’s governments and nations,” Ahmadinejad said. Iran is worried about being surrounded by the armed forces of its archenemy in the region.
“In order to establish regional security, there is absolutely no need for the presence of foreign troops.” The United States has almost 100,000 troops in Iraq but they are largely on bases away from cities. Washington has said it will withdraw all troops by the end of 2011.
