TEHRAN, Oct 28: Tens of thousands of Iranians marched in Tehran on Friday in a show of support for their president’s call for Israel to be ‘wiped off the map’, yet nearly everyone insisted Tehran was not about to attack the Jewish state.

Protesters out on ‘Jerusalem Day’ insisted that the remark was merely a slogan — and displayed little concern over the international outcry and renewed charges that their leadership is seeking nuclear weapons.

Attending the annual event, were ‘candidates for martyrdom’ — or men in fancy dress as Palestinian suicide bombers.

Strapped around their waists were mock explosives, and on their shoulders were white robes splashed with red paint.

The effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was burned, as were the flags of the United States, Israel and Britain. “Death to America, Death to Israel”, the crowds chanted yet more slogans the government usually insists should not be taken too literally.

Another slogan heard was ‘every Iranian is an atomic bomb’ — alongside another proclaiming that ‘peaceful nuclear energy is our legitimate right’.

“All Iranians think like Ahmadinejad,” argued Seyed Mohammadi, a 40-year-old member of the Basij militia’s ‘Martyrdom Candidates Brigade’.

“If we are given the order to fight, we will do it. But we are not partisans of war.

“We want peace in the world,” said the militiaman, who was also dressed up as a suicide bomber.

“What Ahmadinejad said is the sentiment of all Iranians,” agreed Amir Hosseini, a 45-year-old Revolutionary Guards officer taking part in the rally.

But he added there was ‘no need for military action’ against Israel.

“What Ahmadinejad said was that elections should be held for Palestinian self-determination,” he said, repeating what Iranian diplomats maintain was the true thrust of Mr Ahmadinejad’s fiery speech.—AFP