Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday warned that his nation is fully prepared to respond if attacked, but downplayed the possibility of a war with the US. "We have made all preparations, and if there is any suspicion, then we are ready," he said during a visit to Bahrain. Ahmadinejad earlier characterized the US military as "shabby."
But he insisted "we never want any war in this region," and that he doesn't expect a battle. Indications have increased recently that Washington may be preparing an attack on Iran to destroy its nuclear capabilities. "We do not feel there is a crisis in this region, or do countries in the region," said Ahmadinejad. "The crisis is in Washington." (More Iran stories.)