Iran ready to retaliate if Israel attacks Tehran

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-23  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

IRAN will give a "devastating" response to any attack on the country, its defence minister was quoted as saying yesterday.

The New York Times on Friday quoted United States officials as saying Israel had carried out a large military exercise, apparently a rehearsal for a potential bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran's Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the Israeli exercise was part of "psychological warfare" against the Islamic Republic, state television said.

Iran had never initiated conflict but would resort to "all means available" if it was attacked. "Iran will come up with a devastating ... response without any time limit to any hostile measure against our country," Najjar was quoted as saying.

Western powers suspect Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear bombs. Israel has described Iran's nuclear program as a threat to its existence.