Iran protests Rafi Eitan's threat to kidnap Ahmadinejad

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran protested Tuesday against Israeli threats to kidnap President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and use force against the Islamic Republic, declaring it would not hesitate to act in self-defense. In a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Iran's UN ambassador referred to comments Tuesday by Minister Rafi Eitan that kidnapping Ahmadinejad is "an acceptable option" and to comments on September 3 by Defense Minister Ehud Barak repeating the threat to use force against Iran. "While the Islamic Republic of Iran has never threatened other nations," Ambassador Mohammad Khazee said it "would not hesitate to act in self-defense to respond to any attack against the Iranian nation and to take appropriate defensive measures to protect itself, its people and its officials." Israel's UN Mission said it would have no comment on Khazee's letter.