Iran Tuesday sternly warned Israel against any military attack on its nuclear sites, in an interview the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, gave to state television. "Israelis have repeated their threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran for a number of years, but I do not think that they will execute this stupid action," he said.

He was replying to a question about US and Israeli press reports speculating on an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites, which the two allies fear are being used to develop atomic weapons.

"Israel knows our reaction, and knows that we would answer with a full hand," he said. "They are aware of our abilities and power, Israel knows that we would not tolerate it, and it will get a very decisive reply."

Israel's air force knocked out an Iraqi nuclear plant in 1981.

The West's concern about Iran's nuclear activities increased last year, when the International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors found traces of uranium enriched to a much higher degree than needed for civilian purposes.

At the end of 2003, Tehran agreed to "temporarily and voluntarily" suspend its nuclear enrichment.

The IAEA however, is still waiting for the Islamic Republic to elaborate on the origin of the suspect uranium, which is expected to be a focus of attention at the upcoming IAEA meeting in June.