Iran Prez warns of severe response to any US strike

ABU DHABI: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Monday that Iran would retaliate with severity to any possible attack by the United States over Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

"They (the Americans) understand that if they should make this mistake, the retaliation of the Iranian people will be severe and they will repent," he told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

Ahmadinejad is wrapping up a landmark two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, the first by an Iranian head of state to the close US Gulf ally.

His visit follows a trip by US Vice President Dick Cheney who warned that Washington would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear arms.

Washington suspects Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme and has not ruled out the use of military force, but Tehran insists its activities are for civilian purposes only.