Iran: Israel just 'bluffing' on attacks

TUNIS, Tunisia – Iran's foreign minister has dismissed talk of an Israeli attack as just bluffing.

Ali Akbar Salehi, during a visit to Tunisia on Monday, said threats from Israel were "empty words, bluffing."

Fearing that Iran is moving quickly toward nuclear capability, Israel has repeatedly hinted at an attack.

Salehi also pronounced himself "optimistic" about the next round of talks with the six world powers over Iran's controversial nuclear program, to be held in Baghdad on May 23.

He described himself as "satisfied" with the earlier meeting April 14 in Istanbul. The talks included the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany.

The U.S. and its allies suspect that Iran intends to produce nuclear weapons. Iran denies that, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.