Region | Iran
Ahmadinejad: Iran will cut off the hands of attackers
Iran's president said that even before its enemies "get their hands on the trigger" the country's military would cut them off, media reported on Sunday.
- Reuters
- Published: 21:59 July 13, 2008
Tehran: Iran's president said that even before its enemies "get their hands on the trigger" the country's military would cut them off, media reported on Sunday in a growing war of words that has intensified Middle East tension.
But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also suggested Iran would consider any proposal by the US for a US interests section in the Islamic Republic, if it was forthcoming. The two countries have not had diplomatic ties since 1980.
Amid the mounting tensions over Iran's nuclear plans, US media have reported that the State Department was considering opening an interests section that could mean some US diplomats returning to Tehran but operating under another country's flag.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said this month at the United Nations in New York that any such proposal, if made, could be examined.
"Iran favours actions that would result in enhanced ties between nations of the world," Ahmadinejad said when asked about the issue, according to the website of state-run Press TV.
The Swiss embassy handles US interests in Iran.
But Ahmadinejad also echoed comments by other Iranian officials and commanders that Iran's response to any attack over its disputed nuclear programme would be quick.
"Before the enemies get their hands on the trigger the armed forces will cut off their hands," the official Irna news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
The US has refused to rule out military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the nuclear row.
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