Iran Warns Attack By Israel A 'Grave Mistake'

June 22, 2008 9:17 a.m. EST

Tehran, Iran (AHN) - Iran's Congress (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani on Saturday warned that any attack launched by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran would be a "grave mistake."

The announcement came even as Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps vowed that Iran's army is ready to counter any threat against the region.

Jafari said Iran's armed forces are prepared to detect and repel any possible attack against Tehran's nuclear facilities.

Larijani made his reaction after the New York Times reported in its Friday edition that a major military exercise launched by Israel early this month was a simulation of a possible bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facility.

The parliament speaker said, "If they make such a grave mistake, they will pay a high price for it. We are ready to face any situation."

According to the New York Times, several American officials view the exercise as aimed to improve the Israeli army's capability to launch long-range strikes and demonstrates Tel Aviv's seriousness in its views on Tehran's nuclear program.

Over 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 jet fighters participated in the latest war games in the eastern Mediterranean and Greece in the first week of June. The maneuvers also involved helicopters to rescue downed pilots.

Interestingly, the Israeli helicopters and refueling tankers flew over 900 miles during the exercise, which is estimated to be the same distance between Israel and Natanz, the site of Iran's nuclear facility.