Iranian Military Chief Issues Warning

RFE/RL -- Iran's military chief has warned Israel against launching any military action against the country.

Quoted by Iranian media (ISNA, Fars), General Hassan Firouzabidi said Israel would regret any such attack and be severely punished.

He was responding to the latest media report out of Israel that the country's leaders are considering a military strike on Tehran's nuclear facilities.

His remarks come on the same day Israel said it successfully test-fired a missile reported to be capable of striking Iran.

Israeli military officials also confirmed that the air force had conducted a drill last week with Italian warplanes in Sardinia.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a "direct and heavy threat" from Iran's nuclear program in a speech to parliament.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is due to issue a report on Iran's nuclear program next week.

The Israeli daily, Ha'aretz, said that report could determine what action Israel takes.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, however, told Israeli radio that "99 percent" of the debate on whether Israel would attack Iran was "not connected to reality."

Iran has repeatedly denied it is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and that its program is only for the peaceful production of power.