"Iran's policy toward Israel will remain unchanged. We do not want more confrontation with the West," a senior government official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
"What Ahmadinejad said is his wish, but it does not mean Iran will take practical steps to destroy Israel."
In a fiery speech not heard in recent years under his reformist predecessor, Ahmadinejad called on Wednesday for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
"The Islamic world will not let its historic enemy live in its heartland," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as telling an anti-Zionist conference of conservative students.
Ahmadinejad's comments drew strong condemnation from countries around the world, including Israel, which said Iran should be ejected from the United Nations over the comments.
Since it came into being in 1979, the Islamic Republic has never publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist. It voices support for Palestinian militant groups dedicated to Israel's destruction, although it denies that it arms and trains them.
But under moderate President Mohammad Khatami, whose eight-year term ended earlier this year, Iranian officials said Tehran might not object to a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict if that was what the Palestinians wanted.
Politicians and analysts say top priority for Tehran at present is mounting international scrutiny of its nuclear programme.
The United States and its European allies suspect Iran may be trying to make atomic weapons - of which Israel could be a target - under cover of a civilian programme. Tehran says its only purpose is to generate electricity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency threatened in a September vote to report Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions over violations of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Analysts say the belligerent words from Ahmadinejad, a former member of the hard-line Revolutionary Guards and a religious conservative, could dim prospects of Iran improving ties with the West or resolving the nuclear stand-off.
"Ahmadinejad's tough remarks will have no impact on Iran's foreign policy," political analyst Saeed Leylaz told Reuters.
"Iran is not in a position to confront the globe."
Leylaz blamed Ahmadinejad's tough stance on Israel on his lack of experience. "He is not a skilled politician. He says things which could be used against Iran," he said.