"Attacking Iran is igniting World War III"

A general from Iran's Revolutionary Guards has said that Iran would launch a preemptive strike against Israel if it knew it was preparing to attack it, warning that the conflict could escalate into World War III.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards in a military parade - Photo: AFP

“Iran will not launch a preemptive attack,” said Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Iran’s military missile system. “But if Israel is ready for an attack, then in any case we will strike first.”

Brigadier General Hajizadeh warned that a war targeting Iranian territory would cause World War III.

“We affirm that Israel will not launch a war without the support of the United States. Therefore, if a war breaks out, we will fight both sides and will definitely attack the American bases in Bahrain, Qatar and Afghanistan. In that case, a series of uncontrollable events will take place, igniting World War III,” Hajizadeh was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammed Ali Jafari, said a war between Iran and Israel would “ultimately lead to war” and that war would lead to Israel’s destruction. This is the first time a senior Iranian military official has acknowledged the possibility of war with Israel.

US does not grant visas to Iranian officials to attend UN meeting

About 20 Iranian government officials, including two ministers, have been denied visas by the US to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on September 23 - Photo: UN

According to Fars News Agency, Iran requested the US to issue visas to the 160-member Iranian delegation, but about 20 were denied. Fars did not name the two ministers who were not granted visas or the reason for the denial.

The US State Department did not comment on the matter. Several Iranian officials have been placed on the US travel ban list due to their involvement in the country's nuclear program.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. During this year's meeting, President Ahmadinejad will deliver his final speech before ending his second term as president.

In another development, German company Siemens has denied Iran's accusation that it planted explosives inside nuclear-related machinery shipped to Iran. Siemens' statement asserted that the company has "no business connection" with Iran's nuclear program.

The head of Iran’s parliament’s security committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said the explosive device was discovered before it exploded. It was “set to explode after it was put into use, in order to destroy our entire system.” Boroujerdi said the explosive device was planted at the Siemens plant before it was shipped, so the company was responsible.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT