Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar Sunday warned of a "limitless" response to any military strike, and considered reported Israel's drill in the eastern Mediterranean and Greece as "psychological operations".

"It seems that parallel efforts and psychological warfare are underway to dissuade the Iranian nation from realizing its inalienable right," Najar told Iranian Fars news agency.

"Iran will not initiate any conflict but will punish any aggressor with the greatest possible force. With determination and using all the options – without limits in terms of time and space – we will give a crushing response to any hostile action," he said, adding that Iran will not be intimidated by these threats and will not renounce its right.

US daily The New York Times reported on Friday that US military believed Israel's military exercise earlier this month was a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear sites.

More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighter jets participated in the maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean and Greece during the first week of June, US officials said.

Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari Saturday said his troops would counter any attack against the country.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2008)