Iran warns of 'strong blow' if attacked by Israel

Iran on Friday warned Israel it would retaliate to any attack against it with a "strong blow," after the New York Times reported that the IAF had conducted a drill, apparently for a strike against the Islamic republic. "If enemies especially Israelis and their supporters in the United States would want to use a language of force, they should rest assured that they will receive a strong blow in the mouth," senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said during a Friday prayers sermon, which was also broadcast live on state radio. Khatami stressed that the Iranian nation's mentality was "to fight foreigners." "Given this mentality, if you make a hostile look at the Islamic Iran, you will witness such a united roar by our nation that it will definitely make you regret any vicious move forever," he added.