JAKARTA, May 12: Iran’s nuclear standoff with Western powers is just “psychological propaganda”, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday and dismissed the chances of military action against his country as unlikely.

On a visit to Indonesia, Mr Ahmadinejad also accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of double standards and working under the influence of the United States, Britain and France.

“Every country has the right to defend its right in accordance with the agreed way,” he said during a meeting with Islamic scholars in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

“But we think this issue is far from possible,” he added when asked what he would do if Iran was attacked because of its nuclear programme.

“This whole thing is just psychological propaganda, but they know the Islamic republic nation of Iran is a strong nation. I think they have better sense than to have a war with Iran,” he added.

Speculation over a possible military strike arose last month after US President George

Bush said that ‘all options are

on the table’ to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

In separate comments in an interview with local television SCTV aired on Friday, Mr Ahmadinejad said he would follow any decision issued by the UN Security Council as long as it was in line with international law.

“If their decision is not in line with the international regulations then we will not pay attention to it,” he said, without elaborating.

The head of the IAEA on Thursday welcomed moves to avert possible UN sanctions against Tehran and appealed for compromise after Mr Ahmadinejad said he was ready to talk.

Mohamed ElBaradei said he was also pleased the UN Security Council was holding off from sanctions against Iran as Europeans work on a package of benefits to induce Tehran to cooperate.

The Iranian leader said the International Atomic Energy Agency was being used by major Western powers.—Reuters