President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that Iran would retaliate strongly to any possible attack by the United States over his country's controversial nuclear programme.
Speaking at a news conference in the United Arab Emirates, President Ahmadinejad said any action by the US would be a mistake and that they would be made to repent.
'They realise that if they make such a mistake the retaliation of Iran would be severe and they will repent,' Mr Ahmadinejad told reporters.
President Ahmadinejad said Gulf countries should 'get rid of' foreign forces, which he blamed for regional insecurity.
He was speaking during a visit to the US-allied United Arab Emirates.
The United States, which has a strong military presence in the Gulf, accuses Iran of seeking to make nuclear weapons and has sought tougher sanctions against Iran.
Iran says it only wants to generate power to allow more oil exports.
