TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Tehran will retaliate against any attack by Israeli or American forces "on the same level," Iran's top leader said Tuesday in a defiant address just moments after U.S. President Barack Obama appealed directly to the Iranian people with a message of solidarity.The contrasting approaches highlighted the broad range of political posturing and tactics as the standoff deepens over Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking on state TV to mark the Iranian new year, repeated his claims that the country does not seek atomic weapons, but said all of Iran's conventional firepower was ready to respond to any attack.
"We do not have atomic weapons and we will not build one. But against an attack by enemies -- to defend ourselves either against the U.S. or Zionist regime -- we will attack them on the same level that they attack us," he said, using the term Iranian authorities often use for Israel. Read More
