Iran Says 'All Options Are on the Table' if its Nuclear Program is Attacked

A picture dated September 21, 2012 shows a Raad air defense system carrying Taer missiles being displayed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, during an annual military parade which marks Iran's eight-year war with Iraq. (Getty Images)

TEHRAN, Iran (TheBlaze/AP) -- The spokesman for Iran's armed forces says military commanders have been given the authority to respond immediately to enemy attacks.

Gen. Masoud Jazayeri also says Iran keeps "all options are on the table", language similar to that used by U.S. President Barack Obama to leave open the possibility of military action against Iran's nuclear program.

Obama told Israel's Channel 2 TV Thursday that Washington still prefers diplomacy over force, but that a nuclear Iran is a "red line."

Jazayeri didn't elaborate. His comments were posted Saturday on sepahnews.com, the website of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the country's most powerful military force.

Obama said Iran is about a year away from developing a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies it is pursuing weapons technology.

Iran's latest warning comes one month after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country had "no intention of building" nuclear weapons but that the U.S. couldn't stop them if they did.

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​Related:

• President Obama: Iran ‘Year or So’ Away From Nuclear Bomb
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Says They Have No Intention of Building Nuclear Weapons — But the U.S. Couldn’t Stop Them if They Did