Iran: Annapolis a 'Failure'

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the US-hosted Annapolis conference a "failure" Wednesday, reiterating his belief that Israel will cease to exist.

"It is impossible that the Zionist regime will survive. Collapse is in the nature of this regime because it has been created on aggression, lying, oppression and crime," Ahmadinejad said, according to Iranian state-run television. The Iranian leader also faulted Arab allies for participating in the conference, particularly Syria, stating, "we are disappointed that some individuals fell victim to the sinister Zionist regime. They are mistaken if they thought that this summit will bring any achievements for them."

US President George W. Bush on Wednesday pledged that the United States would defend Israel if it was attacked by Iran, and that he takes Ahmadinejad's threats to Israel seriously.  Iran's leader has publicly stated that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map."