"Our plans are ready, and although an attack is very unlikely the plans have been approved by the Supreme National Security Council and given to the military forces," Rowhani was quoted as saying.

"We will not react to an attack with diplomacy. We are ready to cut off the aggressor's hand," added Rowhani, secretary of Iran's top national security body.

His comments came against a backdrop of an escalating war of words between Iran and the United States, which has hinted at possible military action over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The United States and Israel accuse Iran of using an atomic energy programme as a cover for weapons development, a chrage the Islamic republic denies.

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