Ahmadinejad used an Arabic word, ismihlal, that can also be translated as destruction, death and collapse.

"Nations of the region hate this criminal fabricated regime (Israel) and will uproot this fabricated regime if the smallest and shortest opportunity is given to them," Ahmadinejad said Wednesday in an address broadcast live on state television.

He spoke hours after President Bush arrived in Israel for the anniversary celebrations.

Doomed? Never!

Sorely mistranslated, as is so common with translations from Persian to English. See Iran and Israel: Lost in translation?

Sorely mistranslated

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): The Zionist regime is dying. The region's nations hate this fake and criminal regime and if they find any opportunity, they will root out this fake regime.

Ahmadinejad used an Arabic word, ismihlal, that can also be translated as destruction, death and collapse.