Iranian official: Our forces are on alert

The assistant Iranian foreign minister for African and Arab affairs, Mohammed Sader, said Iranian forces are on alert because of the circumstances in the region.

He said, "Iran has not studied the possibility of dividing Iraq. We are trying to maintain its integrity. We hope no military attack takes place against Iraq in order to avoid an Iraqi refugee exodus into this country."

He said," Iran will not receive Iraqi refugees with bullets" if the US launches a military strike against Iraq, confirming that his country is not contemplating any aggression against any country (implying Iraq) and that the Iranian government and people are sympathetic to the plight of the Iraqis.