Iran launches military exercises

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | August 19, 2006

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran on Saturday launched a series of large-scale military exercises aimed at introducing the country's new defensive doctrine, state-run television reported.

The television report said the military exercise would occur in 14 of the country's 30 provinces and could last as long as five weeks.

The first stage of the maneuvers began with air strikes in the southeastern province of Sistan va Baluchistan, the report said.

~ snip ~

The military exercise, involving 12 infantry regiments, is called "The Blow of Zolfaghar," in reference to a sword that belonged to Imam Ali, one of the most revered figures of Islam for Shiite Muslims. A majority of Iran's 70 million people are Shiite.

~ snip ~

[Rapscallion]

PREDICTION: Iran's military exercises and North Korea's nuke test are related. Soon, the alliance of evil between these two powers will be revealed. Together they defy and threaten the peace of the world.

[zarf]

The Blow of Zolfaghar

Zolfaghar's blow is tainted. He needs a new supplier.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

I thought Zolfaghar was Abby Dinnerjacket's blow-up doll...

[mirkwood]

Oh darn , these people are french.

[edpc]

The first stage of the maneuvers began with air strikes in the southeastern province of Sistan va Baluchistan, the report said.

Given the poor state of the Iranian Air Force, they won't be able to fly many excercises like that. If hostilities were to occur, they'd be the first on the "things to destroy" list.

[Rapscallion]

Does anyone else expect there to be some significant relationship between 8-22 and 9-11?

[StoneWall Brigade]

I say we kick there ass take names i'm sick of this

[nikos1121]

i wonder if this has anything to do with iran attacking the kurds..

[StoneWall Brigade]

i dont think so

[Dixie Yooper]

"Given the poor state of the Iranian Air Force, they won't be able to fly many exercises like that"

Are they still flying F4 Phantoms or did they upgrade to MIGs purchased from Russia?

[mazda77]

I find it interesting that Google Earth has updated and better resolution shots of shall we say "selected" areas of Iran. I even was able to find the house I rented when I was stationed in Teheran 1972-74 (Stratcom).

[Flavius]

[Dixie Yooper]

It must be something the Chinese requested.

[LFOD]

Come on over then! We'll make room for you.

[nuconvert]

"The first stage of the maneuvers began with air strikes in the southeastern province of Sistan va Baluchistan, the report said"

hmmm.....I wonder how many people were "accidently" killed?

[Thermalseeker]

PREDICTION: Iran's military exercises and North Korea's nuke test are related. Soon, the alliance of evil between these two powers will be revealed. Together they defy and threaten the peace of the world.

You are probably right. I'd also include the recent flare up by the Hezbo's with Israel as an attempt by Iran to divert attention away from what they are really doing.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Bet we have every airplane counted by the time this is over.

[edpc]

Here's a graph from Global Security on the estimated state of the Iranian Air Force.

IIAF Inventory

[blasater1960]

Look at all those targets!