Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki smiles as he attends a news conference with his Bahraini counterpart Khalid bin Ahmad al-Khalifa in Tehran February 24, 2007. He said the United States was in no position to launch military strike against the Islamic Republic. (Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TEHRAN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister said on Saturday that the United States was in no position to launch military strike against the Islamic Republic, stressing that talks were the only choice to resolve the nuclear standoff.

    "We do not see the U.S. in a position to impose another crisis on its tax payers by starting another war in the region," Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters during a press conference with his Bahraini counterpart, in a response to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's warnings over Tehran earlier Saturday.

    "But the Islamic Republic of Iran has prepared for two scenarios. We prefer the second one which is based on dialogue and constructive interaction," Mottaki added.

    During his trip to Australia, Cheney Saturday refused to rule out the possibility of taking military action against Iran, saying that "all options are still on the table" over Tehran's nuclear programs.

    Cheney said Washington was still working with other countries to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear programs and prefers to achieve the goal peacefully.

    "But all options are still on the table," Cheney said, adding that it is still being debated in the U.S. how to move next to deal with Tehran over the nuclear issue.

    In an interview with U.S. media, carried out in Australia and released on Friday, Cheney said that the United States will "do everything" it can to stop Iran's nuclear programs.

    Mottaki also stressed that dialogue was the only choice to resolve the current deadlock, urging the U.S. and its allies to return to the negotiation table.

    "The only way to reach a solution for disputes is negotiations and talks. Therefore, we want the London meeting to make a brave decision and resume talks with Iran," said the minister.

    The United States, along with some other Western countries, has been accusing Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Tehran has rejected such accusations, saying that its nuclear programs are designed for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

    The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23,2006, demanding Iran stop all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities including research and development, and work on all heavy water-related projects, in 60 days.

    Iran refused to heed the Security Council's demand by the deadline that fell on Feb. 21, 2007.

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    Cheney leaves open military option against Iran

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Sydney. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    CANBERRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday refused to rule out the possibility of taking military action against Iran, saying that "all options are still on the table" over Tehran's nuclear programs.

    Speaking at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Sydney, Cheney said Washington is still working with other countries to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear programs and prefers to achieve the goal peacefully.

    "But all options are still on the table," Cheney said, adding that it is still being debated in the United States how to move next to deal with Tehran over its nuclear programs.

    In an interview with US media, carried out in Australia and released on Friday, Cheney said that the United States will "do everything" that can stop Iran's nuclear programs.

    The United States, along with some other Western countries, has been accusing Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Tehran has rejected such allegations, saying that its nuclear programs are designed for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

    The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23, 2006, demanding Iran stop all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities including research and development, and work on all heavy water-related projects, in 60 days.

    Iran refused to heed the Security Council's demand by the deadline that fell on Feb. 21, 2007.