Iran threatens retaliation for nuke strike

TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- An Iranian military official says the country will launch retaliatory strikes against any country that attacks its nuclear energy sites.

Brig. Gen. Seyed Mohammad Hejazi, the head of the Islamic Revolution Guards' joint chiefs of staff, said Saturday Iran has drawn up plans to "take retaliatory measures against potential aggressors and their accomplices," Iran's Fars news agency reported.

The warning came after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Jerusalem last week that Iran must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, saying, "Iran cannot become nuclear. Israel cannot afford it. The Jewish people cannot afford it," the Jerusalem Post reported.

Tehran denies the Israeli claims and insists its nuclear enrichment program is purely for civilian electric power applications.