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.
Hardly. Is this why we are supposed to accept Bush's lack of response as really "intelligent" instead? Nice try. Looks more like we're taking the threat seriously, same as we did in N Korea..and have decided to allow their nuclear status, since we do not have the stomach [politically!!] for real fights. [Our military of course could kick their ass gladly, but they will not be given the chance.]
Can they back up their threat? Yes, somewhat.
Somewhat? What does that mean? Propaganda, even on our side is still very obvious propaganda.
Will it bring down a rain of hellfire on their heads? Yes, somewhat.
This must be a joke.
The mullahs are in no position to take on the US militarily.
And you base that on what premise?? They wear diapers on their head?
When you hear the news that a few more carrier groups are heading to the gulf then you can figure game's on.
Wake me in the 23rd century so I can watch.
It*s my understanding that they have rebuilt their bunkers too far under ground for us to be able to penetrate them.
More evidence of superficial understanding. What bunkers? Storage of nuclear weapons? Research and development? Command and control? In all those cases, severing the access to ventilation, communication and access renders them useless. How long do you think they could function deaf, dumb, blind and hungry?
Are you always this rude to ladies? I admit that I don*t have all the answers, but it*s my right to have concerns about our troops. Get over yourself. Next time don*t act like such a jerk.
They've even gone so far as to design their new MBT, (the Zolfaqar), to match the silhouette of the M1 Abrams. They've known who they're going to be fighting for a long time.
Hey Iran, you fought Saddam for 10 years and got no where. We routed his entire military in 3 weeks. What was that you were saying again about attacking us?
I don't know. I thought I knew but I was obviously wrong. LOL!
If they hit US forces, they should be ready to take a few Daisy cutters over the nuke plant.
We have a lot of cool toys, yes. Any technology that saves our soldier's lives is worth the price.
My point is that they've been preparing to take us on for some time, and their MBT design reflects that.
So you have to ask yourself Punk, Are you feeling Lucky? Well, Do ya Punk?
Must be that the diaper on his head is as full of **it as he is.
Ulterior motive ping
They must be taking strategic manners lessons from North Korea.
We can certainly oblige.
Well they have said that if they had a nuclear bomb, Israel would cease to exist.
And now they have said that Israel and America are inseparable.
I don't think they've left us a lot of options.
I can walk !
The sad thing is the Iranian mullahs are nuts enough to attempt some kind of crap like this.
Calling Israel, Come in Israel.
Are these people nuts? That would seal their doom.
iraq was the perfect lauching pad for what's about to be done. weakened after two wars, it was a prime target. we're going to finish the job of flipping iraq over to the west to the extent turkey has been flipped, then train our sites on saudi arabia dividing that state into east and west. then all the crazies will be shipped out to the mecca medina west and the technocrats stay in the east where all the o&g is located. then we break the opec cartel, flood the world with cheap oil thereby bankrupting iran and russia (again). of course these countries are probably getting hip to this action and may decide to get froggie. russia is looking for iran to do some serious dirty work. should be interesting. if allah loves the arabs, he'll make sure the usa succeeds. otherwise, a bunch of dead arabs (and iranians) after the usa retaliates for whatever attack they throw our way.
breaking iran will also break syria and lebanon who depend on iran for support today.
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