TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A semiofficial Iranian news agency quotes a senior military commander as saying that Tehran will strike pre-emptively at its enemies, if it feels it is in danger.

The comments by deputy head of Iran's armed forces Gen. Mohammed Hejazi were carried by Fars agency on Tuesday.

"We do not wait for enemies to take action against us," says Hejazi, who heads the military's logistical wing. "We will use all our means to protect our national interests."

The U.S. and Israel have not ruled out military action against Iran's nuclear program, which they say is aimed at developing weapons technology. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes.