Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson is urging prayer before Election Day to stave off an imminent Middle Eastern war he said could bring nuclear attacks on the United States.

In a letter on his Web site, www.patrobertson.com, Robertson said his opinion was that Israel would bomb Iranian nuclear sites between Nov. 4 and the inauguration of the United States' new president.

Robertson tied his warning to biblical prophecy. His letter, which starts out describing his concerns about Russian aggression in Georgia, predicted that Russia would also enter the war, though the United States would not. "However, we may not be spared nuclear strikes against coastal cities" in America.

A version of the letter was sent in September to members of Regent University, where Robertson is founder and president. He is also founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and host of its daily show, "The 700 Club." The network and university are based in Virginia Beach.

"We have between 75 and 120 days before the Middle East starts spinning out of control," Robertson wrote.

"It all will conclude when God has rained fire on the islands of the sea and on the invading force coming against Israel."

Rob Boston, a spokesman at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Robertson has a history of outrageous statements forecasting natural catastrophes and disastrous conflicts that didn't occur.

"His off-the-wall predictions and bizarre statements tar all fundamental Christians with an extreme brush, and that's unfortunate for those Christians who are conservative but don't follow Pat Robertson," Boston said.

Information from The Virginian-Pilot