'Israel attack on Iran "unacceptable" '

An Israeli military offensive against Iran would be "unacceptable," United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, expressing concern over the "fierce rhetoric" on the issue, Agence France-Presse reported.

"An attack against a country is unacceptable and the idea of a counter attack isn't acceptable either," Ban was quoted as saying in an interview with the French program "Internationales" to be aired today, AFP said.

Ban said he is "highly concerned by the political rhetoric over a possible military attack or a retaliation" and urged a return to dialog to resolve the conflict around Iran's nuclear program, the news agency said.

The main issue is Iranians' refusal to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to access sites inside the country, he said, calling for Iranian officials to "fully cooperate" with the UN's nuclear watchdog, according to the report published yesterday.