Iran prez plays down possible US strike

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad played down talk of a possible U.S. strike against his country, but nonetheless said Saturday that Iran is prepared "to face any development."

The hardline leader made the comments during a half-day stop to Bahrain on his way to a summit of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in neighboring Saudi Arabia. He also assured this staunch U.S. ally in the Gulf not to fear a military buildup in the region.

"Iran doesn't expect any military escalation in the region," he said.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are high over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and its refusal to stop uranium enrichment. The U.S. and its allies fear Iran aims to make nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its program is peaceful.

Ahmadinejad insisted he didn't foresee war "even though the West may expect this to happen."

"Iran won't allow and won't work to accelerate a possible war," he said. "We don't favor war, but at the same time, we have made preparations to face any development, and we are ready."

Bahrain and other small Gulf Arab states worry a faceoff between Iran and the United States would imperil their oil-based economies and destabilize the region. They also fear Iranian retaliation for their alliance with the U.S., whose 5th Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain.

Ahmadinejad said after meeting Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa that his trip aimed at expanding "economic and cultural relations" between the two countries.

He signed a memorandum of understanding to export natural gas to Bahrain.

"Iran will provide one million cubic feet per day of natural gas, and the details are expected to be finalized within a year before signing a deal on this strategic project," said Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheik Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa.