"Iran has not excluded the possibility of an American aggression against it," the influential Rafsanjani told a press conference held alongside Syrian vice president Faruq al-Shara before flying to Kuwait to reassure Gulf nations on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"Such an event would in no way be in the interests of the United States or of the region, including Iran," he said.

Reports emerged last week that Washington has contingency plans for a preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities where it believes Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.

Iran, facing potential UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear programme, vows it only wants nuclear power and not the bomb.

"Iran is undergoing psychological warfare and is resolved to defend its rights," Rafsanjani said, adding that "the United States will not risk using force."

Shara said that Iran has the right "to develop its own nuclear technology for peaceful purposes conforming with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Iran and Syria are both the subject of US sanctions, having been accused of sponsoring terrorism. Damascus and Tehran deny the charges.

Shara also said Syria and Iran were helping to stabilise neighbouring Iraq, where Washington has accused both countries of supporting insurgency groups.

"Syria and Iran are cooperating with neighbouring countries to help Iraq ensure its stability, its unity and its territorial integrity," Shara said.

The two countries will help Baghdad "form a stable government for the next four years, capable of pacifying Iraq, getting a timetable for the departure of American forces and reconstructing what was destroyed by the war."

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