The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, United Nations

Iran's UN mission has complained to the Security Council over US Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton's threat to "totally obliterate" the Islamic Republic if it were to launch a nuclear attack on Israel.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its deep concern over, and strong condemnation of such a provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible statement against the Iranian nation and civilization," Iran's deputy ambassador to the UN Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi said in a letter to the council released here Thursday.

He said Senator Clinton "unwarrantedly and under erroneous and false pretexts threatened to use force" against Iran.

In an April 22 interview with ABC television, Clinton was asked what she would do as president if Iran were to launch a nuclear strike on Israel.

"I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran," she replied.

"In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them," she added.

"Such a statement is a flagrant violation of the most fundamental provisions of the UN Charter and the basic principles of international law," Danesh-Yazdi retorted.

He reiterated Tehran's position that Iran "has no intention to attack any other nations."

But he said that "in accordance with its inherent right under article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran 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."

Clinton is locked in a tight race with rival Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.