Report: Iran warns against military action

[Guest guest]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j8TD_Bvt9a45XzsLprHlYcjnK17wD91MV4V

G0

Report: Iran warns against military action

By NASSER KARIMI – 3 hours ago

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran would consider any military action against

its nuclear facilities as the beginning of a war, the country's top

Revolutionary Guards commander said in remarks published Friday.

Gen. Mohammed Ali Jafari's comments, carried by Iran's official news

agency, come as speculation of possible military action against

Iran's nuclear facilities mounts. The U.S. has said all options are

on the table, and there are worries that Israel might be considering

a unilateral strike. Both countries, which accuse Iran of seeking to

develop nuclear weapons, say they favor a diplomatic solution.

Jafari said any country that attacks Iran would regret doing so.

" Any action against Iran is regarded as the beginning of war, " Jafari

said late Thursday, according to the IRNA news agency report. " Iran's

response to any military action will make the invaders regret their

decision and action. "

In a newspaper interview last week, Jafari warned that if attacked,

Iran would barrage Israel with missiles and choke off the strategic

Strait of Hormuz, a narrow outlet for oil tankers leaving the Persian

Gulf.

However, the general was also quoted as saying that he thinks a

strike by Iran's adversaries is unlikely.

Iran's top diplomat, Manouchehr Mottaki, told The Associated Press in

New York on Wednesday that the United States and Israel would not

risk the " craziness " of attacking his country and possibly provoking

a wider Middle East war or driving oil prices into uncharted heights.

An Israeli military exercise last month was seen as a strong warning

to Iran. The U.S. and Israel say Iran's nuclear program is a cover

for weapons production, while Iran insists it is only for power

generation.

Mottaki called the speculation of a military strike part

of " psychological warfare, " according to Friday's IRNA report.

Iran's foreign minister has also signaled a willingness to restart

talks with the West.

" Tehran is ready to settle Iran's nuclear issue in a comprehensive

agreement, " Mottaki was quoted as saying Thursday by the Web site of

Iran's state TV.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — the United

States, Britain, France, China and Russia — as well as Germany have

offered new talks if Iran signals it is prepared to suspend its

enrichment of uranium.

Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.