A top Iranian military commander warned on Wednesday that his country would bomb Israel back if Iran is attacked by the Jewish state, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

 

"We have made a plan to bomb Israel back if the regime take foolish steps," the deputy air force commander Mohammad Alavi was quoted as saying.

 

"Besides our missiles which could cover the whole country of this regime (Israel), our fighter jets could also be used to attack their soil in case Iran is attacked," he added.

 

The commander made the remarks just days after Tehran's ally Syria claimed Israeli aircraft had overflown and attacked its territory recently.

 

Alavi's remarks echoed an Iranian armed forces' statement on Wednesday which said Tehran was well-prepared to deal with the threats posed by the enemies.

 

"The General Headquarters of the armed forces is well aware of current situation in the region and has mobilized its forces in the army of the Islamic Republic to defend the country," said the statement.

 

Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed to retaliate Israel if attacked by the United States since Washington warned every means were possible to make Iran stop its disputed nuclear program.

 

Alavi's remarks were the first time that forces of the Islamic Republic disclosed that it had specific plans for striking back Israel.

 

"Israel must remove its foolishness for its head since our plan is not an empty threat," the commander warned.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2007)