Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday vowed that the Islamic republic would hit back at United States interests worldwide if attacked, amid mounting tension with the West over its nuclear programme.
“They should not intimidate Iranian people with these things, since the US has previously attacked Iran,” Khamenei said, referring to speculation Washington is planning a strike on Iran to halt its atomic drive.
“The enemies understand well that the Iranian nation will give a comprehensive response to the aggressors and their interests worldwide,” Khamenei added, according to state-run television.
Khamenei did not specify what such retaliation would involve but he expressed confidence that Iran’s arch-enemy, the US, would not be tempted to launch a strike.
“We believe that no one will make such an irrational and erroneous move and will not jeopardise his nation’s interest,” he was quoted as telling Iranian air force commanders during a ceremony celebrating the anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
“Of course some say the US president [George Bush] does not think about the consequences of his actions, but some sanity could be put into the head of even these people,” Khamenei added.
“The American politicians and analysts know that Iranian people have never let any aggression go unanswered,” he said.
His comments came on the second and final day of war games carried by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
They have so far successfully test-fired a new Russian-made air-defence missile system and a land-to-sea missile with a range of about 350km.
Iran’s leaders have repeatedly said the country’s armed forces are ready for any eventuality in the current stand-off with the West over its nuclear programme.
Although the US has said it wants the stand-off solved through diplomacy, Washington has never ruled out military action to thwart Iran’s atomic drive.
The US accuses Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, a charge vehemently denied by Tehran, which insists its atomic programme is peaceful in nature. — AFP