PM 'refuses' to back Iran strikes

Tony Blair has refused to offer support for any military strike against Iran

Sunday, 16, Apr 2006 12:00

The prime minister has refused to offer the government's support to any military strike on Iran, according to press reports citing government sources.

With Tehran defiant in its willingness to acquire nuclear technology, US president George Bush is believed to be considering an assault on the Islamic state's underground nuclear facilities.

Although US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice wants the United Nations to adopt tough sanctions against Iran when the security council meets next week, Mr Blair is reportedly in favour of a 'chapter seven' diplomatic resolution.

This resolution would isolate Iran from the international community but would not endorse the military option.

Iran says the development of uranium enrichment is entirely peaceful, motivated solely by a desire to boost domestic electricity supplies.

The story comes amid reports that Iran "suicide bombers" are prepared to hit "sensitive points" in Britain if the Islamic nation's nuclear sites are attacked.

Some 40,000 trained suicide bombers, mainly from the Special Unit of Martyr Seekers in the Revolutionary Guards, are ready for action, according to the Sunday Times citing Iranian officials.

Meanwhile, ultra-conservative Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has urged Islamic countries to help fund the Palestinian authority.

At a conference on the Palestinian struggle, the president said Israel represented a threat to the Islamic world.

In the past he has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map" and questioned the reality of the Holocaust.

Following the speech, former Israeli leader Shimon Peres called on the UN to take action against Iran. He said the threats were reminiscent of those of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.