The deputy head of the Islamic Republic's armed forces, Mohammad
Hejazi, has said that Iran would take pre-emptive action against its
enemies if it felt its national interests were endangered. 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. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense
Minister Ehud Barak and other senior officials had protested over
recent comments by senior American officials critical of any Israeli
attack on Iran, saying this criticism was serving Iran's interests.
