Iran dismisses US admiral's attack plan comments

Iran dismissed on Tuesday remarks by the top US military chief that Washington had a plan to attack the Islamic republic, saying the comments stemmed from a string of US military defeats in the region.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Sunday the United States has drawn up the plan to prevent Iran getting nuclear weapons, but was "extremely concerned" about the upshot of any such attack.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Mullen's remarks were "not noteworthy."

"We witness such inappropriate remarks by these American military officials," he told reporters when asked to comment on Mullen's statement.

"We think the reason behind it stems from the consecutive (US) defeats in the region and its military adventurism which has resulted in deaths of innocent citizens and of their own forces."

In a separate statement, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi described Mullen's comments as "fascistic."

"Such remarks are in contradiction of their claims of change that they are after dialogue and peace," Vahidi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

"They show that they are unable to stand against the will of Iran. Having plans to attack an independent nation... in the third millennium is a clear violation of the UN charter."

Speaking on US television, Mullen held out hope on Sunday that a combination of diplomatic efforts and sanctions would force Tehran to suspend a uranium enrichment programme that many believe is a secret bid to develop nuclear arms.

At the same time, though, he said "the military options have been on the table, and remain on the table".

"I hope we don't get to that, but it's an important option and it's one that's well understood," he added.

Asked if the military has a plan to strike Iran, Mullen replied, "We do."

He did not elaborate.

Iran insists its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes only.