Iran sees Israel as target for annihilation -Olmert

JERUSALEM, May 4 (Reuters) Iran sees Israel as a target for annihilation, Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today said adding the Jewish state was capable of defending itself in the face of Tehran's nuclear programme.

''We must not ignore what the president of Iran says -- he means everything he says,'' Olmert told parliament ahead of a vote of confidence in his new coalition government. ''The State of Israel, which the evil leaders in Tehran have turned into a target for annihilation, is not helpless and it has the ability to defend itself against any threat.'' REUTERS SY PM1704