Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said yesterday he was ready to don combat fatigues and give his life in battle if his country were attacked, accusing Washington of seeking any excuse to start a war.

The US and Israel have both rattled sabres over Iran's disputed nuclear programme, refusing to rule out air strikes to hinder what they see as Tehran's pursuit of atomic weapons.

Khamenei stressed he would remain in the public eye if war came, unlike US officials whom he accused of fleeing for cover after the September 11 attacks.

"If this nation is tested by a bitter experience, I will wear battle fatigues and will be ready to sacrifice myself at the head of the nation," he told pilgrims in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

"After September 11, there was no news of US President (George W Bush) and his deputies for two or three days. They went into hiding. I am not like that," he said.

Khamenei also urged officials to press on with nuclear work and take no heed of US allegations Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon, two days before a new round of Iran-EU nuclear talks.

"I advise the officials not to pay attention to the enemies' threats and to go their own way, doing their job," Khamenei said. "Americans know well producing an atomic bomb in Iran is a myth and there is absolutely no truth to that," he said. "We are not seeking atomic bombs as Islam does not allow us to confront even our enemies like that."

Meanwhile, UN's nuclear watchdog chief said the US should give Iran some kind of security assurance as Washington joins up with the EU to try to persuade Tehran to give up sensitive atomic activities. "I think when the issue of security comes up (in the EU-Iran talks), obviously the US will have to step in, because ... the Iranians will very much need the American and not just European (security) assurance ...," Mohamed ElBaradei said.

PHOTO CAPTION

A general view shows the Bushehr nuclear power plant 1,000 kms south of Tehran 27 Feburary 2005. (AFP)