Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro said the United States is in a checkmate concerning the possibility of an imminent attack on Iran, local media reported Monday.

"The Yankees are in a checkmate, no matter how intelligent they are," Castro said at a meeting with Cuban journalists Sunday, where he presented his argument about the threat of a nuclear war.

Castro stressed the devastating consequences of a nuclear war for the world, saying that nobody will survive after such a war breaks out.

He said that U.S. President Barack Obama is the one who will decide whether a nuclear war will occur.

"He (Obama) has the constitutional power. He has the say. What he can ask for is only one thing, peace," Castro said.

The former leader also said the influence of other countries such as Russia and China on the Iranian nuclear issue might be decisive.

Besides, Castro published another one of his "Reflections" under the title "I'm ready to go on discussing" on Monday.

Among other considerations, Castro said in his article that "the U.S. military system together with its security agencies are much stronger than President Obama."

Castro, who turned 84 on Aug. 13, returned to public life on July 7 after four years of convalescence from a serious illness which forced him to hand over power to his brother Raul.

He has made public appearances throughout July and August, focusing on international issues.

On Aug. 1, he reappeared at the Cuban Parliament and a few days later, he introduced his memoir about his guerrilla days, "Strategic Victory."