Officials said Iran has sought to recruit a coalition that would oppose U.S. interests in the Middle East and Central Asia. They said the alliance would include nuclear powers.

"China, Russia, India and Iran are capable of establishing a pole of major powers in Asia, opposing the policies of America," Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi said.

Addressing the heads of the Basij militia in Teheran on May 9, Safavi said Iran could forge an international alliance to foil U.S. interests. The general envisioned a clash of such an axis with the United States and its allies.