MOSCOW, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran does not fear U.S. President George W. Bush's threat about a possible nuclear strike on nuclear facilities, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said in Baku on Thursday.

    "The United States has been threatening Iran for 27 straight years and this is no news for us. For this reason we do not fear the threats," Najjar told reporters during a visit to Azerbaijan.

    Najjar said his country was going to discuss its nuclear issue with the world community. "We are ready to settle all questions through negotiations. At the same time, if a menace appears, Iran is ready to stop it."

    When asked about possible mediation by Azerbaijan between Iran and the United States during Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev's visit to Washington in late April, Najjar said: "We have not asked anybody for mediation so far."

    Aliyev could "make our stance clear, but the main thing is thatit is understood rightly," he added. Enditem