We may strike first, Iran warns
A top Iranian general has warned that it will pre-emptively strike anyone who threatens it.
The statement by General Mohammed Hejazi continues the defiant tone Tehran has taken in its confrontation with Western countries that claim it is developing nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
"We do not wait for enemies to take action against us," said Hejazi, according to the Fars news agency. "We will use all our means to protect our national interests."
Hejazi heads the military's logistical wing.
The US and Israel have not ruled out strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran also said that a visiting UN team did not plan to inspect the country's nuclear facilities and will only hold talks with officials in Tehran.
The statement cast doubt on how well UN inspectors can gauge whether Iran is moving ahead with its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency team, which started on Monday, is the second in less than a month.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the visiting IAEA team was made up of experts, not inspectors. He told reporters that the IAEA team was holding discussions in Tehran to prepare for future cooperation between Iran and the UN watchdog. He said this co-operation is at its "best" level.
"The (title) of the members of the visiting delegation is not 'inspectors.' This is an expert delegation. The purpose of visit is not inspection," said Mehmanparast. "The aim is to negotiate about co-operation between Iran and the agency and to set a framework for a continuation of the talks."
Visits to Iranian nuclear sites were not part of the IAEA visit three weeks ago.
But on Monday, Iranian state radio said the UN team had asked to visit the Parchin military complex outside Tehran - a known, conventional arms facility that has been suspected of making secret weapons - and to meet Iranian nuclear scientists involved in the country's controversial programme.
The visit comes as Iran carries out air defence war games to practice protecting nuclear and other sensitive sites.
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Ganshida Soldado
Feb 23rd, 21:39
Leave Iran alone they said it's for peaceful purposes..USA is jealous someone else can develop nuclear weapons and they can't..
david vella
Feb 22nd, 17:56
If the USA , EUROPE and ISREAL attacks in any way shape of form , IRAN will attack right away with full force and IRAN will defend itself at all costs , Groups in USA, and EUROPE , politicens and masons in general means IIUMINATI for a long time are planing the new world war 3 . Time is running and we will pay consequences if this start
Joseph Stafrace
Feb 22nd, 16:59
@Andreas Moser
"Israel is a stable democracy. Iran is a fanatical dictatorship " It seems that you were not that good in History. It was a democratic country i.e. the United States that dropped the first two atomic bombs over Japan. After the war prominent leaders in the USA were also considering dropping similar bombs during the North Korea and Vietnam conflicts. Sadly religous fanatics can be found everywhere including Israel. To avoid a nuclear war, the whole of the middle east be declared a nuclear free zone.
Mr D.S. Scott
Feb 22nd, 13:33
The Iranian regime is bluffing. The only entities they have struck, using the "basiji" (state sponsored thugs) is their own defenceless people when these rightly clamoured for democracy after a sham election in which the shameless Ahmadinejad was fraudulently re- elected.
Chris Xuereb
Feb 22nd, 11:30
The problem is not the Nukes we know are out there but the one Nuke we do not!
Stephen Saliba
Feb 22nd, 10:55
If I had a choice as to whether israel or Iran are 'allowed' nukes I would choose... guess who? These mad men in Iran are crazy enough to start WWIII. Them and the likes of North Korea. Both unstable dictatorship. Not that I am too fond of the idea of India and Pakistan having nukes mind you.
The bottom line is that history repeats itself. Remember the promises by the Nazi dictator. Where did that end up? Bottom line - For evil to prevail it is enough that good men do nothing. Further more 'si vis pacem para bellum'. Look it up.
Graham Holme
Feb 22nd, 10:38
All the jigsaw pieces of THE NEW WORLD ORDER,falling into place
Mark Said
Feb 22nd, 10:10
War clouds are imminently looming overhead!
P Sciberras
Feb 22nd, 10:06
Iran have got the same right as Israel to attack first,But have not the same right to have about 300 nuclear warheads as Israel have.
Michael Borg
Feb 22nd, 10:56
wow mr sciberras you must work with the secret service ta malta i guess to know that Israel has 300 nukes !!!
Andreas Moser
Feb 22nd, 11:32
Israel is a stable democracy. Iran is a fanatical dictatorship whose leaders have openly announced that they want to destroy Israel.
No wonder that not only Israel is worried about Iran's nuclear programme, but all Arab neighbouring states are so too: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/wikileaks-and-israel/
Christopher Grech
Feb 22nd, 09:41
Let us give a balanced view of things: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/205259.html
Funny how a Jewish name pops up when Iran is concerned!
Andreas Moser
Feb 22nd, 11:30
I wouldn't call Press TV "balanced". It's the Iranian Government's TV channel, 100% financed, controlled and managed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Christopher Grech
Feb 22nd, 09:22
I wonder why the IAEA does not inspect Israel's widely known 200 nuclear weapons!
Double or triple standards?
Andreas Moser
Feb 22nd, 11:30
Israel is not a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
No double standards at all. It's just that nobody can be bound by a treaty they didn't join.
Andreas Moser
Feb 22nd, 08:33
Will these strikes be executed with the same competence as those in Bangkok? - http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/iranian-intelligence-training/ - We ain't scared then.