Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has...

The statement came during Ahmadinejad"s visit to Kish Island in the Persian Gulf marking National Persian Gulf Day.

The Gulf, which hosts large oil deposits, has been an area of increased attention from regional powers, as well as from the United States.

"They [the U.S. authorities] want to dominate the Middle East... Though it should be mentioned that they have not reached their goal and will not do it [in the future]," the agency quoted the hard-line Iranian leader as saying.

"Today Iran is the world"s most powerful nation. We like all nations and are glad to see their prosperity. We are adherents of friendship and dialogue. However, as opposed to the aggressive intentions, we remain a powerful fist that will knock the teeth out of anyone [who will have courage to attack Iran]," Ahmadinejad said.

The U.S. and Israel have not ruled out military action against Iran in case it fails to meet a demand by Western powers and halt its controversial uranium enrichment

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