The deputy head of the Islamic Republic's armed forces, Mohammad<br />Hejazi, has said that Iran would take pre-emptive action against its<br />enemies if it felt its national interests were endangered. Iran is<br />facing growing international pressure and isolation over its disputed<br />nuclear activity. Expanded Western sanctions aim to block its<br />economically vital oil exports and Tehran has said it could retaliate<br />by shutting the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane vital to global energy<br />supplies. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense<br />Minister Ehud Barak and other senior officials had protested over<br />recent comments by senior American officials critical of any Israeli<br />attack on Iran, saying this criticism was serving Iran's interests.
