Iran says it doesn’t expect war

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday that the United States is not in a position to attack his country because Washington cannot afford another costly war in the region.

At a news conference on the last day of the U.N. General Assembly, Mottaki said Iran warned the United States two years ago that it would retaliate if Washington made the “mad decision” to attack. He did not disclose what the Iranian response would be.

Mottaki emphasized that Tehran is not expecting the Bush administration to launch an attack, though the United States has repeatedly said that all options remain open.

“Our analysis is clear,” he said. “U.S. is not in a position to impose another war in our region against their taxpayers.”

Mottaki said again that “Iran is trying its best to avoid any confrontation in the region” and does not need or want nuclear weapons.

In the meantime, Mottaki said, Iran is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to answer questions about its nuclear program.

He said Iran believes the IAEA is the “right and appropriate” place to consider the issue.

“We do hope . . . this process does work appropriately,” he said.