Iran dismisses threat of attack
Iran's foreign minister has dismissed the threat of an attack against his country, saying that the US could not afford another conflict in the Middle East.
He spoke as President George Bush also sought to dampen down speculation of any military action.
Manouchehr Mottaki said Israel or the US would not "resort to such craziness" while the US economy is suffering and the country is bogged down in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"We do not foresee such a possibility at the moment. The Israeli government is facing a political breakdown within itself and within the region, so we do not foresee such a possibility for that regime to resort to such craziness," he said.
"The United States, too, is not in a position where it can engage in, take another risk in the region.
"Of course, there are people in the United States who are interested in that. But we think that the rational thinkers in the United States will prevent from that action being taken, and will prevent the imposition of another adventuresome act that would put pressure on the American taxpayers."
Mr Mottaki, speaking in New York, struck a generally conciliatory tone towards the United States, saying political and diplomatic solutions were Iran's preference and that he sees improvements in the US tone recently as well as in some recent diplomatic offerings to Iran.
But if Iran is attacked, he said, it would respond as "any independent country."
In Washington, President Bush said all options are on the table regarding Iran and its nuclear programme, but said military action would not be his first choice in the months remaining in his presidency.
"I have made it very clear to all parties that the first option ought to be to solve this problem diplomatically. And the best way to solve it diplomatically is for the United States to work with other nations to send a focused message - and that is, you will be isolated, and you will have economic hardship, if you continue to enrich," he said.
