TEHRAN The General Headquarters of the Armed Forces announced on Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not desire to wage war against any country but was capable of responding to and defending against any foreign threats.

In a statement yesterday, the headquarters warned the U.S. Administration against creating tension and insecurity in the region.

It said, "During the Islamic Revolution our (Iranian) nation achieved victory by chanting slogans of "independence, freedom and Islamic Republic" and by adopting the policy of "neither East nor West". The statement added that Iran was the first country in the world to establish an independent religious democracy.

The statement also said, "The United States has hatched different types of plots against the Islamic Republic, such as sanctions, economic bans, political pressure, coups and war, in attempts to defeat the Islamic system." It added that the support of the Vilayat Faqih (Leader) and the vigilance of the people defused all these plots.

"The U.S. is on the verge of collapse since it is using the Sept. 11 attacks as an excuse to carry out its expansionist policies, regardless of the internal disagreements among the American people and in the army," said the statement, criticizing the U.S. policy of attributing its difficulties and economic disorder to others.

"What deters the enemy's threats is the national unity and determination against the enemy. Any harm to the unity of the people and government and any inattention towards the enemy's threats can prepare the way for implementation of those threats," said the statement.

The statement underlined that since commanders of the armed forces in the army, the Islamic Republic Guard Corps, military industries, and the Basij (volunteer forces) were safeguarding the national interests and defense capacities of the country day and night, any insult to any senior commander can be interpreted as an attempt to weaken the armed forces, especially at a time when the country is being threatened.

The statement concluded by saying that the country needs more cohesion and higher morality and if such comments are made in line with the plots of the enemy, they will be regarded as against the interests of the system and offenders will be subject to prosecution.