Iran threatens to hit Western warships in Gulf if attacked

TEHRAN, IRAN - Jan 19 2010 14:12

Iran's Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Tuesday that Western warships stationed in the Gulf are "best targets" for the Islamic republic if its nuclear sites are attacked, Fars news agency reported.

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to deliver a "crushing response" and hit United States targets, including its bases in the Gulf and neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan, if Iran's nuclear sites are attacked.

"Why are there so many warships there? The Westerners know that these warships are the best target for operations by Iran if they do anything against [us]," Vahidi told a conference entitled "Persian Gulf" in Tehran.

He also criticised the building of US bases in the region and Washington's "unofficial presence in Yemen".

The United States and its regional ally, Israel, who accuse Iran of seeking atomic weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme, have never ruled out a military option to thwart Tehran's nuclear drive.

Iran denies the charges and has continued to expand its nuclear programme despite UN sanctions. -- AFP

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