Iran 'will take pre-emptive action if Tehran feels threatened'

"Our strategy now is that if we feel our enemies want to endanger Iran's national interests, and want to decide to do that, we will act without waiting for their actions," Mohammad Hejazi told Fars news agency.

Iran is facing growing international pressure and isolation over its disputed nuclear activity. Expanded Western sanctions aim to block its economically vital oil exports and Tehran has said it could retaliate by shutting the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane vital to global energy supplies.

Yesterday Tehran launched military exercises aimed at boosting anti-air defences around its nuclear sites as United Nations officials arrived for talks designed to extract more information about the country's atomic weapon ambitions.

The official IRNA news agency said four days of manoeuvres would deploy missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, radars and fighter jets.

"These exercises aim to reinforce the co-ordination between the military and the Revolutionary Guards for a total coverage of the country's sensitive facilities, especially nuclear sites," the agency said..."

at  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9095265/Iran-will-take-pre-emptive-action-if-Tehran-feels-threatened.html