'Iran digging mass graves for US soldiers'

The Telegraph quoted General Hossein Moghadam, the Guard's former deputy chief, as saying that 'mass graves' are being dug close to the site of 1980-Iran-Iraq war. "The mass graves that were used for burying Saddam's soldiers have now been prepared again for US soldiers," he added.

In June this year, United Nations Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment programme. The US and some of its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear development as a cover to build nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its nuclear development is geared merely toward generating electricity.

Last week Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee kept up President Barack Obama's double-handed approach, saying that he had prepared an attack plan focusing on Iran's nuclear plants, though he added that he was unwilling to use it.

Meanwhile, Iran has sought to upgrade its air defence systems and naval power, saying any possible future attacks against Iran would be air and sea-based. General Moghadam further said that if the US decides on pre-emptive action and attacks Iran, the latter would have no choice but to strike at American bases in the region.

"The heavy costs of such a war will not be just on the Islamic Republic of Iran. America and other countries should accept that this would be the start of an extensive war in the region," he added.