Iran says it will retaliate if attacked

TEHRAN, June 20 (UPI) -- Iran will retaliate with a "united roar" if Israel conducts air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, a senior cleric said Friday.

An article in the New York Times reported U.S. officials as saying the Israeli military conducted exercises in apparent preparation for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, where western leaders believe weapons-grade nuclear material is being developed.

"If enemies, especially Israelis and their supporters in the United States, would want to use a language of force, they should rest assured that they will receive a strong blow in the mouth," senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said Friday, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Khatami said Iran's mentality was "to fight foreigners," the Israeli newspaper said.

"Given this mentality, if you make a hostile look at the Islamic Iran, you will witness such a united roar by our nation that it will definitely make you regret any vicious move forever," he added.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday he considers the debate about Iran's nuclear aspirations over.

"Recently they have started a new game -- by testing us -- but this will result in no achievement for them except humiliation," Ahmadinejad said.