Iranian officials vowed on Sunday that the Islamic Republic would fight back against any attacks on it and "cut off the hands" of the invaders, amid heightened speculation that Israel and the United States would attack Iranian targets for Tehran's suspicious nuclear programs.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad adjusts his earphone during a news conference after the Eight Developing Islamic Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur July 8, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
"Before the enemies touch the trigger, the Iranian armed forces will cut off their hands," the official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying.
He said the missiles displayed in the recent war games, including a modified Shahab 3 missile that can reach Israel and most U.S. bases in the Middle East, were only a small part of the country's defense capabilities.
"This is only a small part of Iran's defense capabilities," Ahmadinejad said, adding that "if it is necessary, we will display more of our defense capabilities."
Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi also said on Sunday that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is well-prepared to defend the country from any possible attack.
