Israeli threats to attack Iran’s nuclear sites are the harmless barking of a dog, Iran’s military said yesterday, marking the last Army Day ceremony of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency with trademark acerbic rhetoric against the Jewish state.

Ahmadinejad, who steps down at elections in June after eight years at the helm of the Islamic Republic’s government, has used the podium at previous Army Day parades to lash out at the United States and its allies.

Yesterday Ahmadinejad confined himself to praise of the country’s armed forces, and it was Iran’s ground forces commander Ataollah Salehi who spoke up against Iran’s sworn foe.

“A dog does nothing more than bark and we have no confidence in these threats,” Iran’s state news agency (Irna) quoted him as saying.

With little progress reported at talks this month between Iran and world powers, Israel has reiterated that it reserves the right to resort to military operations to stop what is says it Iran’s attempt to build nuclear weapons.

Iran has responded to Israel’s threat with regular combat drills, announcements of new advances in military technology and threatening statements of its own.

Iran denies it is seeking nuclear arms and says its atomic work is peaceful and aimed at generating electricity. (Reuters)