While Palestinian and Israeli officials at least make a showing of trying to ‘work things out‘ in Washington over the next few months, Israel still has its hands full keeping a weather eye on the political and nuclear activities of Iran. A couple of weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Iran’s new president-elect is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” who will likely continue talk a good game about Iran’s oh-so-unassuming nuclear ambitions, but will really keep on smiling while simultaneously building a bomb. But, hey — why on earth would Netanyahu ever think that? Via the AP:

Ahead of his inauguration, Iran’s new president on Friday called Israel an “old wound” that should be removed, while tens of thousands of Iranians marched in support of Muslim claims to the holy city of Jerusalem.

Hasan Rouhani’s remarks about Israel — which Iran considers to be its archenemy — echoed longstanding views of other Iranian leaders and could tarnish his image in the West as a voice of moderation in Iranian affairs. …

“The Zionist regime has been a wound on the body of the Islamic world for years and the wound should be removed,” Rouhani was quoted as saying by the semi-official ISNA news agency. …

Rouhani is immediately trying to walk back his words, claiming that what he really said is being misinterpreted,  after Netanyahu’s quick and assertive response:

Netanyahu said Rowhani, due to take office on Sunday, was no less anti-Israel than his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and said the world must not allow Iran to pursue its nuclear ambitions and threaten Israel.

“The true face of Rowhani has been revealed sooner than expected … this is what the man thinks and this is the Iranian regime’s plan of action,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“A nation that threatens to destroy the state of Israel must not be allowed to have weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Israel has recently hinted that they might take military action in the event that other nations other nations don’t do enough to deter Tehran from further developing their nuclear program — and that clock is still ticking away.