Iran: We'll cut off enemy hands

2008-07-13 18:04

Tehran - Iran would "cut off the hands" of any enemy that attacked the country, warned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday, amid increasing tensions with the West after recent missile tests.

"Before the enemies touch the trigger, Iran's armed forces will cut off their hands," said Ahmadinejad, according to the state-run Irna news agency.

His comments came after Iran intensified tensions in the nuclear standoff by conducting two days of missile tests, which included the firing of a missile that it says can reach Israel.

"This is only a small part of Iran's defence capabilities and, in future, we will unveil more of our defence capabilities if it is needed," said Ahmadinejad.

'A ferocious response'

The United States and its regional ally, Israel, have never ruled out a military attack to end Iran's controversial nuclear work, which the West fears could be used to make weapons - a charge vehemently denied by Iran.

There has been concern that an attack against Iran could be imminent after it emerged Israel had carried out manoeuvres in Greece that were effectively dry runs for a potential strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran has always warned of a ferocious response to any attack. A military official said on Saturday that Iran would target "the heart of Israel" and 32 US bases in the event of any attack.

Tehran said on Wednesday that it test-fired its Shahab-3 missile - the longest-range weapon in its arsenal - and eight other missiles.

It said it fired more missiles on Thursday in land manoeuvres at night and naval war games by day.

But diplomatic efforts to end the crisis have also continued, with world powers proposing a package offering Tehran technological incentives if it suspends sensitive uranium enrichment.

Iranian officials said nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili was to meet European Union foreign-policy chief Javier Solana - who leads the talks on behalf of world powers - in Geneva on July 19 in their latest effort to break the deadlock.

Hopes of a breakthrough rose in recent weeks after Ali Akbar Velayati, the top foreign policy advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said it would be in Iran's interests to accept the package.

Face-saving moves

But Ahmadinejad said bluntly on Sunday that Velayati "has no involvement in nuclear issue decision making".

"Mr Velayati is an esteemed person. He has opinions and he states his opinion. Everyone in the Islamic Republic of Iran is free to state their opinion."

A leading Iranian reformist newspaper wrote in an editorial that the present exchange of threats and muscle-flexing on both sides could be aimed at saving face before reaching a compromise deal.

- AFP