Iran warns U.S. of "quagmire" as Russia urges diplomacy

By Fredrik Dahl

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran warned the United States on Wednesday it would find itself in a "quagmire deeper than Iraq" if it attacked the Islamic state, and Russia intensified efforts for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear row with the West.

The warning by the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, a target of new U.S. sanctions announced last week, added to angry rhetoric between the two old foes that has prompted speculation of possible U.S. military action.

U.S. President George W. Bush has suggested a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War Three. Washington says it wants a diplomatic solution but a U.S. official said on Wednesday more "tough-minded diplomacy" was needed to make that work.

"If the enemies show inexperience and want to invade Islamic Iran, they will receive a strong slap from Iran," Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Ali Jafari said in comments carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency.

"The enemy knows that if it attacks Iran it will be trapped in a quagmire deeper than Iraq and Afghanistan, and they will have to withdraw with defeat," he told a parade in north-central Iran, without mentioning the United States by name.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany are expected to meet in London on Friday to discuss a possible third round of U.N. sanctions, said U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns.

"It's very important that the Security Council stay united and focused on this and that the third resolution be passed," he told reporters in Paris. "If we want diplomacy to succeed, we're going to have to see more tough-minded diplomacy."

He said this should include European sanctions on Iran, which some large EU members are reluctant to pursue.