Iranian lawmakers followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his threats to western nations that he would retaliate with full force against any attempted attack on the Islamic Republic aimed at ending the country’s nuclear development program.
Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar warned Sunday, “Any military attack against Iran will send the region up in flames.” Ahmadinejad left Sunday for New York, where he planned to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He is also scheduled to speak at Columbia University on Monday, despite pressure on the school to cancel the event.
Late Saturday night, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni also issued a warning for the first time since French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner hinted that military action might be considered by the international community. “Military aggression against Iran is no longer a case of ‘you hit and run.’"