Iran says Israel will suffer 'painful' response

Tehran: Israel will suffer a "very painful" response if it launched attacks against Iran, Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Najjar was responding to comments made by Israeli Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz on Friday, which said an attack on Iran looked "unavoidable".

The state Iran daily newspaper quoted Najjar as saying: "Our armed forces are at the height of their readiness and if anyone should want to undertake such a foolish job the response would be very painful."

Najjar said Israeli officials "every now and then say things which amount to foolish claims".

Iran has demanded action from the UN Security Council over Mofaz's comments.