Iran Warns U.S. against 'Confrontation' over Alleged Plot
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Wednesday warned the United States against "confrontation" over accusations Tehran plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington.
"We are not seeking confrontation; our policy is cooperation and interaction. If they want to impose a confrontation upon the Iranian nation, the consequences of this issue will be more severe for them," Salehi told reporters after a cabinet session, the ISNA news agency reported.
"We do not want confrontation. (But) if they want to confront us and impose something on us, it will be the end of them. If they have the power to throw a punch, we have the power to smack (them) in a way that they would not be able to stand up," Salehi said.
U.S. authorities said Tuesday that two Iranians -- one also holding U.S. citizenship -- were part of a plot "conceived, sponsored and directed from Iran" to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir in a bomb attack.
Iranian officials have rejected the accusations as "mischievous," insisting Tehran had no part in the plot, which they said was a ploy to divert attention from US woes at home and in the Middle East.
Salehi claimed there had been "many cases" the West had blamed on Iran but which later turned out to be "a mistake."
"Over the past 32 years, there have been many identical accusations. For example in the Lockerbie case, they first accused Iran but it became clear later that that was not the case," Salehi said.
"You have seen the hyperbolic way their officials act. They talk as if a global, nuclear explosion has occurred. They have made such a hue and cry about it," he added.
The revelations about the assassination plot has sent tensions soaring between Tehran and Washington, foes for more than 30 years ever since Islamic students took U.S. diplomats hostage in their embassy in Tehran after Iran's revolution.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday Iran would be "held accountable" for its foiled plot.
A former chief of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said Wednesday there was overwhelming evidence that Tehran was behind the plot and warned "somebody in Iran" must "pay the price".
12 October 2011, 16:37
10
Obama wants to be reelected so bad. Hes got something up his sleeves to gain the trust of the American people and you people are going to be the price. Take cover under your mullas turbin and pray to your Allah that it wont hurt you while bending over.
12 October 2011, 16:40
01
Iran is run by an evil mafia , the same mafia now is running Lebanon thru Hizbollah .God help the poor Lebanese .
12 October 2011, 16:43
10
When 911 happened in the states most of the highjackers carried Saudi citizins as well, how come the states did not go after saudi or make them pay the price?? Just saying....I care less about either side
12 October 2011, 16:45
03
Never has been a more arrogant government that the current Iranian one. The world must unite to put an end to this arrogance. Iran somehow feels powerfull enough to conduct itself in this matter and thrives on threatening the world but this action requires a severe response from the US, Europe and all Arab nations.
12 October 2011, 16:52
50
only the retards can believe that iran really tried to kill saudi ambasador in washington.
what's the point? saudis send another ambasador.
but of course, zionist information war department will use any stupid story to prove their non existing point
12 October 2011, 16:54
05
"If they have the power to throw a punch, we have the power to smack (them) in a way that they would not be able to stand up,"
Great rhetoric, especially for the #1 iranian diplomat.
The US puts a huge file with evidence, proofs, money transfers, names... Iran answers with barks...
we're still waiting for that smack ya salehi, oh wait we just thwarted it!
12 October 2011, 16:57
00
we are waiting for the americans to respond,salehi has the right to speak whatever he wants,it is the americans who have to show their real value. or retreat from the whole middle east, and we will manage and find a way.
12 October 2011, 17:04
01
What a joke......... like a bug giving a warning to a truck windshield.
Iran has been overplaying their hand, and they are going to be brought down to size
12 October 2011, 17:19
01
A dog that barks doesnt bite, USA can hit you and within 24 hours Iran will cease to exist, as much as i dont like the USA nore Iran , only one capable jetfighter can go through Iran's defense system, it is the american F22 Raptor , and they have more than 200 , so i guess the slap Mr Foreign minister will be to you, dont give us false hopes of beeing able to destroy the United states which are no better than yourself if you dont the abilities, just shut up and become stronger like China
12 October 2011, 17:52
02
Iran never does anything. They let the Lebanese and Palestinians do their fighting and dying.
12 October 2011, 18:25
00
@m.c. You must be an idiot if you think that there has never been a more arrogant country than Iran! *cough* US, Israel *cough*
