Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said that Iran will stand up to threats by Israel and the West, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.

Iran's strategy is to give a crushing and strong response to any possible aggression against the country, Vahidi was quoted as saying.

"The Islamic republic of Iran will give a suitable response to any threats at the proper time and this will make the enemy regret (its actions)," Vahidi told reporters on Monday.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday headed to Washington for talks with senior U.S. officials regarding the Iranian nuclear program.

Barak's U.S. visit comes prior to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's and President Shimon Peres' arrivals next week.

Iran's uranium enrichment activities have raised concerns in the West that Tehran is seeking to weaponize its nuclear program. However, Iran insists the program is solely for "peaceful" purposes, such as power generation and medical treatment. Israel, an arch-enemy of Iran, has threatened to launch military operations against Iran's nuclear sites.