Castro gives rare TV interview, fears nuclear war

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro emerged from seclusion Monday to warn the world in a taped interview aired on national television that the West's confrontation with Iran could erupt into nuclear war.

The bearded, 83-year-old commandant, sitting at a small desk and wearing a dark windbreaker over a plaid shirt, looked alert, but showed his years as he spun a complicated scenario in which his long-time foe, the US, was the main culprit.

He said nuclear war could break out when the US, in an alliance with Israel, tries to enforce international sanctions against Iran for its nuclear activities.

"When they launch war, they're going to launch it there. It cannot help but be nuclear," he said. "I believe the danger of war is growing a lot. They are playing with fire."

Castro has been seen only in occasional photographs and videos since he underwent emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006 and ceded power provisionally to his younger brother, Raul Castro.

He resigned in February 2008, and Raul Castro was officially elected president by the National Assembly.

Castro spoke haltingly at first, but gathered steam as he outlined long grievances against the US and detailed its large stockpile of nuclear arms and heavy military spending.