Iran cleric warns Israel

IRAN: Iran's former president and influential cleric is warning Israel of the consequences of the ongoing siege of the militant Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani says Muslim anger over the siege will eventually explode and "burn" Israelis.

Rafsanjani's spoke during a prayer sermon Tuesday. The remarks were carried by state radio. The cleric also criticized Muslim countries for their passivity over the siege. He says "this disgrace will remain" a stain on those states.

Israel and Egypt blockaded Gaza after Hamas seized control of the coastal area in June 2007. Israel has recently tightened its sanctions in response to Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli communities.

Tehran, Tuesday, AP