Iran threatens 'worldwide strike' if attacked*

By Natalie Paris and agencies
Last Updated: 1:12pm GMT 08/02/2007

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has today warned that if under
attack, Iran will hit back at US interests worldwide.

While it is not unusual for Iran to threaten such a wide-reaching
response to US action, the threat was issued as details were broadcast
on state television that missiles had been test-launched today.

Speaking at a meeting of Iranian air force commanders, Iran's supreme
spiritual leader said: "The enemy knows well that any invasion would be
followed by a comprehensive reaction to the invaders and their interests
all over the world.

"We believe that no one will make such an unwise and wrong move (to
attack Iran) that would endanger their country and interests."

He added: "Some say that the US president is not the type who acts based
on calculations or thinks about the consequences of his action.

"But even these people can be brought to their senses."

Iran is at loggerheads with the United States over its disputed nuclear
programme which has prompted Washington to order a second aircraft
carrier to the Gulf to bolster US influence.

A televised broadcast today revealed that Iran's Revolutionary Guards
were test-firing missiles that could apparently sink "big warships" in
the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

The testing means that it is now the second day that Iran has been
conducting war-games designed to be a public display of military might.

Revolutionary Guards naval commander Ali Fadavi said: "These missiles,
with a maximum range of 350 km (220 miles), can hit different kinds of
big warships in all of the Persian Gulf, all of the Sea of Oman and the
north of the Indian Ocean."

However, Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely civilian and
says it is not backing militants in Iraq.

Both President George W Bush and Tony Blair have said that neither
country intends to invade Iran.