WASHINGTON, April 1, 2006 (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence and terrorism experts say they think Iran would order global terrorist attacks if U.S. forces strike Iran's nuclear sites, it was reported.

The Washington Post reported the experts expect Iran would deploy intelligence operatives and Hezbollah teams to carry out the attacks, including attacks against U.S. targets inside Iraq. There is a growing consensus that Iranian agents would target civilians in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, the experts told the newspaper.

U.S. officials would not say whether there is evidence indicating Iran would order terrorist attacks, but a senior official told the Post the matter "is consuming a lot of time" throughout the U.S. intelligence apparatus. Another official said, "It's a huge issue."

The newspaper said U.S. officials would not say whether any preparatory measures -- such as increased surveillance, counter-surveillance or message traffic on the part of Iran's foreign-based intelligence operatives -- has been detected.

Both President George W. Bush and the Iranian government have hinted recently at the possibility of a military confrontation between the United States and Iran, the newspaper said. Bush says he is pursuing a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program development, but he also said all options are on the table for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Copyright 2006 United Press International