Iran Warns Of Preemptive Strike [Against U.S. Forces] To Prevent Attack On Nuclear Sites

Agence France-Presse | August 18, 2004

[HAL9000]

Iran Warns Of Preemptive Strike To Prevent Attack On Nuclear Sites

DOHA, Aug 18 (AFP) - Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani warned Wednesday that Iran might launch a preemptive strike against US forces in the region to prevent an attack on its nuclear facilities.

"We will not sit (with arms folded) to wait for what others will do to us. Some military commanders in Iran are convinced that preventive operations which the Americans talk about are not their monopoly," Shamkhani told Al-Jazeera TV when asked if Iran would respond to an American attack on its nuclear facilities.

"America is not the only one present in the region. We are also present, from Khost to Kandahar in Afghanistan; we are present in the Gulf and we can be present in Iraq," said Shamkhani, speaking in Farsi to the Arabic-language news channel through an interpreter.

"The US military presence (in Iraq) will not become an element of strength (for Washington) at our expense. The opposite is true, because their forces would turn into a hostage" in Iranian hands in the event of an attack, he said.

Shamkhani, who was asked about the possibility of an American or Israeli strike against Iran`s atomic power plant in Bushehr, added: "We will consider any strike against our nuclear installations as an attack on Iran as a whole, and we will retaliate with all our strength.

"Where Israel is concerned, we have no doubt that it is an evil entity, and it will not be able to launch any military operation without an American green light. You cannot separate the two."

A commander of Iran`s elite Revolutionary Guards was quoted in the Iranian press earlier Wednesday as saying that Tehran would strike the Israeli reactor at Dimona if Israel attacks the Islamic republic`s own burgeoning nuclear facilities.

"If Israel fires one missile at Bushehr atomic power plant, it should permanently forget about Dimona nuclear center, where it produces and keeps its nuclear weapons, and Israel would be responsible for the terrifying consequence of this move," General Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr warned.

Iran`s controversial bid to generate nuclear power at its plant being built at Bushehr is seen by arch-enemies Israel and the United States as a cover for nuclear weapons development.

The latest comments mark an escalation in an exchange of threats between Israel and Iran in recent weeks, leading to speculation that there may be a repeat of Israel`s strike against Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osirak in 1981.

Iran insists that its nuclear intentions are peaceful, while pointing at its enemy`s alleged nuclear arsenal, which Israel neither confirms nor denies possessing.

Dimona, in the Negev desert, is allegedly where Israel produces weapons-grade plutonium for its estimated 200 nuclear warheads.

[12.7mm]

look at map of ME. Study map for 5 seconds. Look at history of last 14 months of the absolutely amazing job this administration and our troopers accomplished.

Whats next.... I wonder?

[BulletBobCo]

[12.7mm]

look at map of ME. Study map for 5 seconds. Look at history of last 14 months of the absolutely amazing job this administration and our troopers accomplished.

Whats next.... I wonder?

[Indie]

I hope it is the policy of the US that Iran will never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons It better be.

Are you kidding? BWAHAHAHAH!!! [Look at N Korea..in the land of PC, this country has had it]

[Chode]

please...

[tomnbeverly]

I remember Chirstmas eve 2004 sitting outside Terhan nuclear plant, the memory is seared in me, with the Iranians shooting at me and the Isralies flying overhead dropping laser guided bombs and I was thinking, I might get blown up by our own allies and all the while the President saying that we were not there.

[dennisw]

Can you imagine these crazies with some nukes and acting in concert with China? To create chaos so China can more easily move in on Taiwan? What would the payoff for the Ayatollahs be? Better nuke and missile technology directly from China or through China's pawn, the North Koreans.

[Havoc]

I'm picturing one of those little bald mexican rat dogs yipping away while staring down a Rot..

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Eric in the Ozarks

We are also present, from Khost to Kandahar in Afghanistan; we are present in the Gulf and we can be present in Iraq


Memo to Iranian Military Forces:


PLEASE -- PLEASE -- PLEASE invade Afghanistan and Iraq ....




Patton@Bastogne


.

[traumer]

[traumer]

Cambridge '2000

[pete anderson]

Are you kidding? BWAHAHAHAH!!! [Look at N Korea..in the land of PC, this country has had it]

We can again trace all this back to Bill Clinton who sat on his A$$ for eight years while Iran Developed a Nuclear program.

[Indie]

Actually i think it goes back to a communist peanut farmer i know of....Klinton was his legacy..

[HipShot]

"Yes, no way they match up with us. A-10's vs T-70 tanks... lol"

That'd be nice if it was true. Iran has designed their own MBTs and APCs. They have modified virtually every weapon system that they've come across, from laser guided SA missiles to cruise capable Kilo class submarines. They also have sunburn missiles that are nuclear capable, (200kt max).

Iran is not Iraq. Their airforce wouldn't threaten our Naval aviators very much, but some of their ground systems can. IIRC, they've modified a variety of their aircraft to allow air launches of the sunburn.

We can certainly do the job, but it's not going to be a cakewalk.

[fso301]

That would be fun to watch!

[HipShot]

"Actually i think it goes back to a communist peanut farmer i know of....Klinton was his legacy.."

We're NEVER going to undo the damage that he did. As far as I'm concerned, we're still owed some justice over the 444 days of pure HELL that some of our citizens suffered. Our dear peanut farmer enabled the entire thing, and started this avalanche.

[dickmc]

I've been thinking the same thing for some time: Accidents do happen when you don't know what you're doing! Too bad some static set off your implosion explosives. Untaceable.

[NRA2BFree]

Stop hyperventilating.

Do I look like I'm hyperventilating? I have legitimate concerns over our troops in Iraq, and all the rude replies you want to make won't change that.

[stockpirate]

well I did not realize this info. thought they ewere more like Iraq.

thanks