Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday has warned Iran against taking advantage of any US military assault on Baghdad to launch its own attack.
In a statement handed to reporters today, Uday urged Iran not to repeat the harm he said it had sought to achieve during the 1991 Gulf War.
Baghdad accused Tehran of backing Shi'ite dissidents in southern Iraq who rebelled against the Baghdad government during the Gulf War, but Iraqi forces had quashed the rebellion.
"The Persians tried to harm us in 1991. They should understand that they wouldn't able to annex even a foot of Iraqi land to their territory," he said.
"The Persians should know that they are an important partner of the game," Uday said in clear reference to Washington's threat to oust the Iraqi government.
Speculation that the United States might attack Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein has intensified since talks aimed at sending UN arms inspectors back to Iraq broke down last week.
US President George W. Bush has said Washington would use "all tools" available to oust Saddam. Iraq fears Iran may attack southern Iraqi provinces dominated by Shi'ite Muslims if Washington launches a military offensive.