July 13, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 9, 1429

TEHRAN, July 12: Iran would destroy Israel and 32 US military bases in the Middle East if the Islamic Republic was attacked over its disputed nuclear programme, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Saturday.

The Islamic Republic and Israel have been embroiled in an escalating war of words in recent weeks, increasing speculation of military confrontation and helping to send global oil prices to record highs.

Iranian missile tests this week further stoked tension and rattled financial markets.

“The US knows full well that with the smallest move against Iran, Israel and 32 US military bases in the region would not be out of the reach of our missiles and would be destroyed,” the semi-official Fars News Agency quoted Mojtaba Zolnour as saying in a speech.

Zolnour is the deputy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s representative in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.

Israel staged an air force exercise last month that sparked speculation about a possible assault on Iranian nuclear sites.

Israel, long assumed to have its own atomic arsenal, has sworn to prevent Iran from emerging as a nuclear-armed power.

Washington has said it wants diplomacy to end the row but has not ruled out military action should that fail.

Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil exporter, has vowed to strike back at Israel, US interests and shipping in the region if it is attacked, threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for about 40 per cent of globally traded oil.

On Wednesday, Iran said it tested nine long- and medium-range missiles, including one which it says could reach Israel and US bases.

Some US facilities across the Gulf are little more than 200km from Iran’s coast. The United States has air and naval bases in nearby Arab states, including Qatar and Bahrain.

“Today the enemies know that they lack the power to confront Iran’s missile attacks,” ISNA news agency quoted Zolnour as saying.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s government spokesman, Gholamhossein Elham, warned the United States and Israel it would be “madness and stupidity” to attack Iran.

Elham said Iran was ready for talks in “fair conditions” but would not accept giving up what it sees as its nuclear rights.—Reuters