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Iran Warns Of Preemptive Strike [Against U.S. Forces] To Prevent Attack On Nuclear Sites
Agence France-Presse | August 18, 2004

Posted on 08/18/2004 12:42:01 PM PDT by 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.



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; preemption; preemptive
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To: Blood of Tyrants
Provide Israel with the U.S. IFF codes that would be valid for 6 hours.

Whatever it takes. Iran must be stopped at all costs.

21 posted on 08/18/2004 12:48:22 PM PDT by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
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To: HAL9000

What about the legions of young people who are so disgusted by the revolutionary regime in Iran?

We should be actively supporting efforts to destroy the ayatollahs from within.


22 posted on 08/18/2004 12:48:52 PM PDT by Gefreiter ("Flee...into the peace and safety of a new dark age." HP Lovecraft)
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To: HAL9000

Bring it on!


23 posted on 08/18/2004 12:48:57 PM PDT by ShandaLear (The Kerry/Edwards Plan for Prosperity: Marry Well & Sue the Rich)
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To: HAL9000
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.

John Kerry said he would retaliate against any attack.

24 posted on 08/18/2004 12:49:05 PM PDT by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: HAL9000

Don't sing it....BRING IT!!!


25 posted on 08/18/2004 12:49:15 PM PDT by Hurricane Andrew
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To: HAL9000

Raghead says blah, blah, blah...

Bring it on mullah boys!


26 posted on 08/18/2004 12:49:48 PM PDT by Khuey (I think, therefore I vote Republican)
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To: All

How about a MOAB with Barbequed Pork Rinds?

I know, that was very un PC.


27 posted on 08/18/2004 12:50:01 PM PDT by Stashiu ( Yeah, I am a Vietnam Vet, not a War Criminal.)
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To: HAL9000
Yawn.

If Iran openly tries to strike US troops, not only will their attack be crushed, not only will Bushehr cease to exist, but the democracy movement will erase the theocracy.

I wish it weren't just hot air, I wish they were truly this stupid, but they aren't.

28 posted on 08/18/2004 12:50:04 PM PDT by wideawake (God bless our brave soldiers and their Commander in Chief)
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To: HAL9000

The ultimate ZOT will be upon them!

29 posted on 08/18/2004 12:51:08 PM PDT by big'ol_freeper ("Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."-Pope JPII)
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To: HAL9000
I wouldn't hold my breath on Israel asking us for permission before blasting these fools to smithereens.

In issues involving relations of Israel, and the US, it's sometimes better to act first, and ask forgiveness later.

I do believe that they are making a grave mistake with their calculations of Israel.
30 posted on 08/18/2004 12:51:33 PM PDT by hiredhand
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To: HAL9000

Keep spouting off boys and we'll rock and rolla your ayatollah.


31 posted on 08/18/2004 12:51:54 PM PDT by No_Outcome_But_Victory (Reagan preferred to shoot the bear... the verdict of history will be simple: nice aim.)
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To: HAL9000; Ymani Cricket
I wonder how Iran's alliance with Russia fits into this nuclear equation?
32 posted on 08/18/2004 12:53:36 PM PDT by Eastbound
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To: HAL9000

I smell fear in the enemy. They are definitely nervous, as they should be.


33 posted on 08/18/2004 12:53:43 PM PDT by laishly
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To: HAL9000

They are letting it all hang out. Wow! All I can say is BRING IT ON! Its about time we got out of this spitting match and got down to business. One thing is certain, a preemptive strike by Iran would take a lot of political heat off of Bush for what is inevitable. Obviously the Iranians have done the math as well.


34 posted on 08/18/2004 12:54:36 PM PDT by DanielLongo (don't tread on me)
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To: HAL9000

This Shamkhani guy must be heavily invested in oil futures. Either that or he got in the game late.


35 posted on 08/18/2004 12:55:10 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all)
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To: HAL9000

It would seem that war between the US and Iran is inevitable. The only question is when. No doubt our military and Iran's military already have plans, defensive and offensive. The behind the scenes diplomacy must be getting rather intense. The Russians are backing the Iranians in this affair. How can Israel allow a terrorist state such as Iran get their hands on assymetric weapons? Tel Aviv will be vaporized. The pressure between Israel and the US must be rather intense. The only question in my mind is who will act first, and how the remainder of the significant nations will respond. We may soon be watching the first nuclear war. God help us.


36 posted on 08/18/2004 12:55:17 PM PDT by TheDon (The Democratic Party is the party of TREASON)
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To: Maceman
"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,"

I think the US should make Iran no longer be present in the region.

Turn it into a parking lot.
37 posted on 08/18/2004 12:55:49 PM PDT by stockpirate (The issues surrounding Kerry in Vietnam is a smoke screen! The real issue is VVAW and the FBI docs!)
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To: jdege

It's already happening. Iran has been sending insurgents and materials into Iraq to keep us there and we've been grinding them up.

A pre-emptive strike against us would, I would think, not be unwelcome. It would certainly open for us the opportunity to respond.


38 posted on 08/18/2004 12:56:05 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs (War is the remedy our enemies have chosen. And I say let us give them all they want)
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To: HAL9000

Playing hardball or just bluffing ?


39 posted on 08/18/2004 12:56:05 PM PDT by traumer
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To: HAL9000
Iran Warns Of Preemptive Strike To Prevent Attack On Nuclear Sites

Well, if we do take out their nuclear facilities, it won't be with ground troops. We'll take it out with lots and lots of 'death from above.'

But any pre-emptive attack would just give us a grand excuse for a full-scale follow-up.

40 posted on 08/18/2004 12:56:05 PM PDT by atomicpossum (If there are two Americas, John Edwards isn't qualified to lead either of them.)
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