"Any aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear installations will recieve an extremely quick and destructive response from the armed forces," Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was quoted as saying by the official news agency IRNA.

He was speaking in the southern city of Bushehr, where Iran's first nuclear power station is being built.

"The protection of the atomic power station in Bushehr is of great importance to the Islamic republic of Iran," the minister said.

"Despite sanctions, the Iranian air force is totally ready to face up to any threat and any violation of our airspace," said Najjar, who was visiting an air base in the area.

Iran is set to be referred to the United Nations Security Council amid fears the clerical regime could acquire nuclear weapons, but has vowed it will not back down to international presure.

On Saturday the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said his forces were ready to use ballistic missiles if attacked.

"Iran has a ballistic missile capability of 2,000 kilometres (1,280 miles). We do not intend to attack any country, but if we are attacked we have the capability to give an effective response. Our policy is defensive," General Yahya Rahim Safavi told state television.

He was referring to Iran's meduim-range Shahab-3 missiles, which are capable of hitting arch-enemy Israel and US bases across the Middle East.

It is not clear how many of the missiles Iran has. Iranian military officials insist they are only tipped with conventional warheads.

In Israel several officials have openly hinted at the possibility of pre-emptive strikes against Iran, seen as a threat to the existence of the Jewish state.

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