Iran Warns Israel of Retaliation

The Guardian ^ | Tuesday May 11, 2004

[F14 Pilot]

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's top nuclear negotiator warned Israel on Tuesday that his country would retaliate if the Jewish state were to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel and the United States suspect Iran is secretly building nuclear weapons under cover of a nuclear energy program. In the past, Israel has said it would not allow Iran to build a nuclear bomb.

In 1981, Israeli fighter-bombers destroyed a nuclear reactor that was under construction outside Baghdad because it feared Iraq would acquire a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said last month Iran was a threat to Israel, ``maybe the main existential threat.''

In an interview with state television, Iran's chief negotiator on nuclear affairs, Hasan Rowhani, warned that an Israeli attack would have severe consequences.

``Israel knows our hands are well equipped,'' Rowhani said. ``If such an incident happens, it will meet a resolute response from our side.''

Rowhani did not explain what he meant by saying Iran was ``well equipped,'' but Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said in December that Iran would strike back with long-range missiles if Israel were to attack its nuclear facilities.

Shamkhani said Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of about 810 miles, would be one of the weapons used. Israel is about 600 miles west of Iran.

Suspicion of Israel and its agents is pervasive in Iran. On Saturday, Iran's armed forces closed the new Imam Khomeini International Airport on its first day of scheduled flights. Citing security concerns, the armed forces spoke of possible links between Israel and a Turkish company that has a contract to operate the airport. The Turkish company rejected the allegation.

Turkey has military links with Israel.

Iran is building its first nuclear reactor, which is expected to come on stream next year. It has been criticized by the International Atomic Energy Agency for failing to disclose certain aspects of its nuclear program. Iran has promised to cooperate fully with IAEA inspectors and insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

[F14 Pilot]

[F14 Pilot]

PING!

[kinghorse]

And here you have the framework for one quick and deadly big ass war with the number 1 enemy of the USA, Iran.

[Gefreiter]

"Rowhani did not explain what he meant by saying Iran was '`well equipped,' but Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said in December that Iran would strike back with long-range missiles if Israel were to attack its nuclear facilities. "

I bet that would be a brief, if exciting, exchange.

[kinghorse]

It's going down in late 04, maybe earlier if Kerry has the numbers going into the election. I mean, why wait. Opponents can scream political opportunism, to which the administrations of both nations can declare indeed it is. Israel loses a big ally if it Bush loses in November. Israel will not accept an Islamic republic churning out nukes and neither can the USA. Iran needs to stop. If not, it forces a deadly war now. I see no way around this barring Iran backing down.

[Grampa Dave]

The last thing the mass murdering Mullahs want is an open engagement with Israel.

Israel would take out their air force, naval power, and military headquarters in 15 minutes and then get down to some serious business.

Of course talk like the Israelis attacking Iran, will make the Eurotrash hate Israel/Jews/America/Americans even more. So be it.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[sr4402]

In an interview with state television, Iran's chief negotiator on nuclear affairs, Hasan Rowhani, warned that an Israeli attack would have severe consequences.

``Israel knows our hands are well equipped,'' Rowhani said.

Yes, Rowhani is correct. I am confident that Israel does know the state of Iranian nukes and probably the plans to use them on Israel. My believe is to use them offensively and not defensively in this case.

Israel is watching this far more carefully then we are. Because the know her enemies want a fiery holocaust to end the world and grant them entrance to heaven. God knows this too, and already has a plan in mind. May the Lord, step on the neck of those who plan evil and the destruction of His children.

[ZULU]

"Iran has promised to cooperate fully with IAEA inspectors and insists its program is for peaceful purposes."

Sure, like striking Israel.

This is proof enough in my eyes that the Ayatollahs are planning a nuclear attack on Israel to inflame the entire Mid-East, as soon as they have the ability.

WE must strike them now, preferably by inciting and supporting a popular Iranian uprising against the ayatollahs, or by blowing up their nuclear plants if necessary.

The damage their current missle capability can create is NOTHING compared to what their missle capable WILL ACCOMPLISH once they are nuclear armed.

[RonHolzwarth]

",,,Iran would strike back with long-range missiles if Israel were to attack its nuclear facilities. Shamkhani said Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of about 810 miles, would be one of the weapons used. Israel is about 600 miles west of Iran.,,,"
***
There is a rather important detail left out!

The accuracy is TERRIBLE! The range of error ranges from somewhere between Mecca and Medina to Cairo, the chances of one of them actually hitting Israel is rather small.

[F14 Pilot]

Agreed, ZULU!

[Heatseeker]

Shamkhani said Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of about 810 miles, would be one of the weapons used. Israel is about 600 miles west of Iran.

If I lived in Tehran, I'd be thinking about buying a place in the country right now. Preferably upwind.

[eyespysomething]

I bet that would be a brief, if exciting, exchange.

I know its not a laughing matter, but lololol

[Gerfang]

The Iranians have some pretty savvy diplomats. They know that Israel won’t let them develop a nuclear weapon. They also know that the United States would destroy the Iranian facilities themselves so the Israelis don’t destabilize the region. The Iranian nuclear program is a bargaining chip they can use to get concessions for their Iraqi proxies. A Shia dominated Iraqi government is an Iranian dream come true. Their influence in the Middle East would increase dramatically and they could finally have a secure western boarder.

Besides, if they were seriously proceeding with weapon construction, do you really think they would announce it to the whole world before it was finished?

[ought-six]

"And here you have the framework for one quick and deadly big ass war with the number 1 enemy of the USA, Iran."

Yup. Iran started all this $hit on November 4, 1979.

[ought-six]

"I bet that would be a brief, if exciting, exchange."

What is that glow in the east? Is it the sunrise? Nope, that was Iran.

[ought-six]

You bring up some good points. However, the trump card is the Iranian mullahs, who still wield great power and authority over the Iranian people. Neutralize the mullahs, and your projection makes a great deal of sense.

[F14 Pilot]

Neutralize the mullahs, and your projection makes a great deal of sense.

Agreed!

[nuconvert]

BuMp

[rightwingcrazy]

I think he's referring to Iran's surrogates in Lebanon (Hizbolla) or maybe a non-peaceful use for their "peaceful" nuclear program.