Iran warns of 'painful' response if Israel attacks

Iran's defense minister was quoted yesterday as warning Israel of a "very painful" response if it launched a military strike over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program.

On Friday, Israeli Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz told an Israeli newspaper an attack on Iran looked "unavoidable" given the apparent failure of United Nations sanctions to deny Teheran technology with bomb-making potential.

"Our armed forces are at the height of their readiness and if anyone should want to undertake such a foolish job the response would be very painful," the state Iran daily quoted Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar as saying.