Iran Guard commander: 'Nothing will remain' of Israel if it attacks

The top commander in Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard has warned that "nothing will remain" of Israel if it takes military action against Tehran over its controversial nuclear program.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said Iran's response to any attack will begin near the Israeli border.

The Islamic Republic has close ties with militants in Gaza and Lebanon, both of which border Israel.

He also told a news conference in Tehran Sunday that if it is attacked, Iran will no longer be committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under whose terms U.N. inspectors visit Iranian nuclear sites.

Israel has left open the possibility of a strike on Iran if diplomacy fails to stop what it says is a push for a nuclear weapon.

Tehran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.