Iran won't bow to Western threats of war

TEHRAN - A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday that Iran will not bow to the Western threats of war or economic sanctions, the local satellite Press TV reported.

"The threats against Iran will not work and (Iranian) people will not surrender to the oppressors because of the (Western) sanctions," said Brigadier General Hossein Salami.

Another IRGC commander said Tuesday that if Israel attacks Iran, it will face the severe consequences of an "appalling retaliation, " Press TV reported.

The Islamic republic enjoys ample might and military capabilities to counter any threat against it and hence the United States and Israel will not dare to launch a military attack on Iran, Head of the IRGC Public Relations Department Lieutenant General Ramezan Sharif was quoted as saying.

He also said that any military strike against Iran will have "terrible and inconceivable consequences" for Washington and its allies.

The Russian army's Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov said Tuesday that Iran "is a sore spot" for some countries, and the countries may make "a decision" on Iran soon.

"I think a decision will be made by the summer," Makarov said, without detailing whether he was referring to a military strike.

The tension between Iran and the West is simmering, as the latter accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons through its enrichment program, a charge rejected by the Islamic republic.

The United States and its European allies have expanded their sanctions against Iran to target its oil exports, the lifeline of the country's economy. The action prompted threats by Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil routes.

The Washington Post quoted US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta earlier this month as saying that Israel might strike Iran as soon as this spring.