Iran's forces can deal 'crushing response'

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TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Iranian military stands at its highest state of readiness and is prepared to offer a "crushing response" to any potential threat, a commander said.

Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said preparations are under way to display national defense achievements Tuesday during the country's Defense Industry Day.

The defense minister said his forces were at the highest level of readiness.

"The armed forces of the Islamic republic of Iran are currently at the highest level of defensive and military preparedness and will give a crushing response to any aggressors," he was quoted by the semiofficial Fars News Agency as saying.

Iran sanctioned a national day of demonstrations dubbed Quds Day last week to voice opposition to Israeli policy against the Palestinians.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel is using its national policies to drive events in the Middle East.

Vahidi added that the Israelis were "afraid of their own shadow (and are) therefore trying to control this disappointing atmosphere by brouhaha and psychological warfare, but should know that propaganda will not resolve their problems."