A top Iranian official gave a stern warning to Israel on Tuesday against staging any military attack on its nuclear facilities, state TV reported.

"Israelis have repeated their threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran for a number of years, but I do not think that they will execute this stupid action," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani said in an interview.

Referring to US and Israeli press reports about speculations on a possible Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Rowhani said "Israel knows our reaction, and knows that we would answer with a full hand."

"They are aware of our abilities and power, Israel knows that we would not tolerate it, and it will get a very decisive reply," the top security official added.

The United States and Israel accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, citing that the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors last year found traces of enriched uranium in Iran, the degree of which is much higher than needed for civilian purposes.

But Tehran has repeatedly denied the accusation, insisting that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purpose.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2004)