TEHRAN, June 30 (Mehr News Agency) - Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Saturday dismissed the West's military threats against Iran as a psychological warfare aimed to increase pressure on the country in "political negotiations".

"Apparently after offering the package of incentives and political negotiations they need a stick for political use," Larijani told reporters.

His comments came after U.S. media reported that Israel staged a joint military parade with Greece earlier this month simulating a strike on Iran's military facilities.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on June 14 put forward an updated package of incentives on behalf of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and

Germany aimed at ending the West's prolonged standoff with the Islamic Republic.

However the 27-nation European Union on Monday agreed new sanctions on Tehran including an asset freeze on Iran's largest bank, Bank Melli, ahead of receiving Tehran's answer to the new incentives.

He called the 5+1 group's new offer a "mirage", saying, "The Europeans do not want our nation to exercise its rights...The package of proposals is useless, despite its attractive appearance."

"This is not the first time we have been under threat... Over the past couple of years we have witnessed a huge psychological propaganda campaign... In any case Iran is always prepared for any kind of action," he said.

However the speaker insisted on a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute, saying that the Majlis and the Supreme National Security Council welcome talks with the West over the remaining differences.

"This game is coming to its end... the Europeans must be honest and if the negotiations start we can reach common points."
 

Iran has aimed Shahab-3 ballistic missiles at Israel's nuclear sites, including the Dimona plant, Israeli sources have claimed.

According to several Western and Israeli media outlets, the sources said that Iran was preparing to retaliate against a possible attack by targeting its ballistic missiles Shahab-3 at Dimona, where Israel is believed to be making its nuclear weapons.

The Sunday Times said Iran had moved ballistic missiles into launch positions, following an Israeli military maneuver in the Mediterranean earlier this month, which was said to be an apparent rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit said that Israel must be ready to attack Iran as the county can obtain a nuclear weapon in a year's time.

Israel accuses Tehran of developing weapons-grade uranium, while it continues to evade UN nuclear watchdog inspections of its own nuclear facilities which are believed to house around 200 atomic warheads.

In contrast, Iran as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), allows the IAEA to conduct inspections of its uranium enrichment facilities to clarify that its nuclear program is peaceful.
 

... Payvand News - 06/30/08 ... --