Iran will not allow U.S. to use its airspace to attack Iraq

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran will not allow the United States to use its airspace to attack Iraq, and its armed forces will defend the country's territory, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"We hope such an error will not be committed by anybody," ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said. "It's clear our armed forces are prepared to defend the country's territorial integrity and its airspace and land. The Islamic Republic will not accept such acts in any way."

He said Iran was not a friend of Iraq but will not take part in any military operation to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq's neighbors fear a war would destabilize the region, and Iran fears U.S. influence in the region would increase if Washington succeeds in ousting Saddam.

Iran fought a 1980-88 war with neighboring Iraq and the two sides still view each other with suspicion.

"Iran has suffered a lot from Iraq," Asefi said. "At the same time, it does not forget America's hostilities. Iran will not participate in any attack on a Muslim and neighboring country. It doesn't accept use of force."

Iran has intensified its diplomatic efforts to help avert a possible U.S. military attack to topple Saddam but has said it would stay away from the confrontation.

Asefi said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will pay a two-day visit to Iran beginning Wednesday to discuss heightened tension in the region.

Iran has repeatedly said it opposes a U.S. attack on Iraq, but has said it would support U.N.-led action against Baghdad if inspectors confirmed the Iraqi regime was developing weapons of mass destruction.