KUWAIT CITY (AFP) -- Iran is ready to face a military showdown with the United States over its nuclear program, Iranian former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Tuesday, warning of the grave consequences of any attack.

Rafsanjani also issued a stern warning to Israel, insisting the Jewish state would not dare to attack Iran which has "longer arms".

"We are not seeking a confrontation but, if it is imposed on us, we are prepared for it," he told a press conference at the end of a three-day visit to Kuwait.

"The consequences of such an attack on Iran will be very grave and they (the Americans) will not benefit from it."

Rafsanjani, who earlier held talks with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, said Kuwait and other Persian Gulf Arab states had told him they would not back a U.S. attack on Iran.

Expediency Council (EC) chairman also said that Iran has accepted the U.S. call for talks on Iraq, adding that it has not yet been started, IRNA reported.

"If such talks prove fruitful, the two sides will be encouraged to discuss the remaining issues on which they disagree.

"According to our policy, the U.S. should withdraw its armed forces from the region and a number of regional states also approve of such withdrawal. This is while the U.S. is seeking pretexts to maintain troops in the region."

He said when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 the Islamic Republic conferred with the U.S. twice. However, he said, the talks did not continue.

Speaking to reporters at the Kuwaiti parliament on Monday, Rafsanjani said that all regional states should cooperate in efforts to preserve the stability and security of the region.

Rafsanjani visited the emirate at the invitation of the Kuwaiti emir.