Xinhua – July 15, 2008
Commander of Iran's Army Air Force, Amir Pilot Ahmad Mighani, announced on Tuesday Iran's army will hold a great wargame soon in a bid to present the defense and battle power of its Air Force to practice protective mechanisms.
In the wargame dubbed "the protectors of Velayat air," "we will demonstrate our strength and will give the message to our enemies that in case they have the dream of any offense, they will receive a very crushing blow," he told reporters.
Claiming that Iran has constructed aircrafts which can escape the radar detection, Mighani said, "Today, the Army Air Force has achieved a high capability, and the construction of such aircrafts will multiple the strength of the air force."
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have just completed military maneuvers in the Gulf called Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great Prophet 3) to improve combat readiness and capability.
Iran successfully test fired new long- and medium-range missiles in the drills.
The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Tehran has denied the U.S. allegations and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Speculation about a military confrontation between Israel and Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month.
The New York Times reported that U.S. military believed a major military exercise by Israel in early June was a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear sites.
Some U.S. officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran’s nuclear program.
The Bush administration has said it focused on diplomacy to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, but insisted it will take "no option off the table."
Some observers believe that it is still possible that the United States and Israel would attack Iranian targets for Tehran’s disputable nuclear programs.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/15/content_8550648.htm
Last updated 19/07/2008
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