Tuesday, April 18 2006 12:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tehran: Iran's armed forces must be at the ready and will 'cut off the hand of any aggressor', hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech today to mark national army day.

"The army must always be equipped and ready, and have mastered the latest technology, to respond to any aggression," Ahmadinejad said in his speech, given during a military parade just south of the capital.

"The powerful army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is in the service of peace and security and is no threat to anyone. But in the face of enemies, it is like a meteorite. It will cut off the hand of any aggressor and leave the enemy covered in shame," he said.

"We want peace, security and progress for all people, in particular the countries of the region and our neighbours," the President added.

Iran is under mounting international pressure over its disputed nuclear programme, with the Islamic republic refusing to comply with a UN Security Council demand to freeze sensitive uranium enrichment work by the end of the month.