TEHRAN -- Former U.S. national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski has argued that launching a military attack against Iran over its nuclear program would be a serious mistake, the DPA news agency reported on Monday.

Some elements in the Bush administration are beating the drums of war against Iran, he said in a speech in Vienna.

The Iranians will never give up their nuclear program, Brzezinski noted, adding that Iran is pursuing an independent nuclear policy.

The entire Iranian nation would respond to a military attack, the former official stated.

“Iran is capable of harming U.S. interests in Iraq and Afghanistan; it has very high capabilities and can halt oil exports. All this could be damaging to the United States.”

Brzezinski went on to say that direct talks between Iran and the U.S. could help resolve the issue.