Iran ruling out military engagement?

TEHRAN, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Iran has no desire for military confrontation with any of its adversaries despite a tense geopolitical climate, the Iranian president said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed frustration with the "arrogant powers" that were "plundering" the Middle East in an effort to "control the world."

He stressed, however, that his country wasn't interested in any military confrontation, state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

"We are not afraid of expressing ourselves, yet we do not seek a military confrontation," he said.

His comments follow statements made by U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, during a weekend appearance on NBC's "Meet The Press."

Mullen said that a military strike against Iran wasn't out of the question.

"Military options have been on the table and remain on the table. It's one of the options that the president has," Mullen said. "I hope we don't get to that but it's an important option and it's one that's well understood."

Western allies to the United States have expressed frustration with Iran's nuclear program, which Washington believes is a cover for a nuclear weapon program. Tehran denies the accusations.