Iranian President Mohammed Khatami told Iranian reporters that he viewed the chance of an American attack on Iran as 'very negligible' but he also indicated that Iran had 'plans' to defend itself if need be.

The United States has recently reiterated its strong opposition to Iran's nuclear program and has indicated it would take some action to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Iran still maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only but has been reluctant to allow extensive inspections of its facilities by UN weapons inspectors.

The Bush Administration recently indicated it would not permit Tehran to get 'the bomb.' A source close to the Bush White House had indicated that air strikes were being investigated as a possible method of attack if need be.

'I do not think that America is in a position to resort to the madness of attacking Iran,' President Khatami said in an interview with Iranian radio. 'We believe that the probability of America's attack on Iran is very negligible. America faces major problems in Iraq and elsewhere.'

The interview appeared to be a warning to the United States and an attempt to reassure Iranians that their country would not be attacked but would stand tough if it was faced with what Khatami called 'US aggression.'

Khatami then added, 'While not welcoming any tension, while defending our interests and while trying to move ahead with logic, we have prepared ourselves and will prepare more, should they - God forbid - resort to acts of aggression; and we have plans for such a day.'

President Bush called Iran one of the members of the so-called 'Axis of Evil' along with Iraq and North Korea.