Iran vows to strike American troops in Middle East

The Iranian President issued a stern warning to the United States and its allies in the Middle East Thursday, promising an attack on the US if it strikes the Islamic Republic.

A day after calling United States President Barack Obama a "nuclear cowboy," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised a response on the US if there is a strike on Iran. Speaking on behalf of President Ahmadinejad, a top officer in the Revolutionary Guard said if Iran were attacked, "none of the American soldiers who are currently in the [Middle East] would go back to America alive." President Obama has been stepping up his rhetoric in regards to the Iranian nuclear program. He has called for a new round of sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Russia said on Thursday that may be appropriate. President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters he is "not happy" with Iran's stance over its nuclear program. He went on to say the UN Security Council may have to examine the issue of sanctions again soon. Ahmadinejad said he would not beg to avoid sanctions, but instead would attempt to "make an opportunity" of them.