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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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1 posted on 08/18/2004 12:42:09 PM PDT by HAL9000
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To: HAL9000

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

It better be.


2 posted on 08/18/2004 12:44:00 PM PDT by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
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To: HAL9000

Keep talking, raghead.


3 posted on 08/18/2004 12:44:29 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: HAL9000

Hey Mullah? Don't think so.


4 posted on 08/18/2004 12:44:29 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Control the information given to society and you control society.)
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To: HAL9000

Hey Mullah? Don't think so.


5 posted on 08/18/2004 12:44:35 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Control the information given to society and you control society.)
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To: HAL9000

Lets get it over with.


6 posted on 08/18/2004 12:44:44 PM PDT by AdamSelene235
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To: HAL9000

Do you think there's any chance at all that we'll be able to misdirect Iran into trying to invade Iraq?


7 posted on 08/18/2004 12:45:05 PM PDT by jdege
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To: HAL9000

Ali Shamkhani sure sounds a lot like Baghdad Bob. I think Israel would wipe Iran off the map if attacked.


8 posted on 08/18/2004 12:45:07 PM PDT by cweese
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To: HAL9000

Yo, Shamkhani. This MOAB's for you.


9 posted on 08/18/2004 12:45:41 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

"Bring it on..."


10 posted on 08/18/2004 12:45:50 PM PDT by mhking
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To: Maceman

Provide Israel with the U.S. IFF codes that would be valid for 6 hours.


11 posted on 08/18/2004 12:46:04 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Even if the government took all your earnings, you wouldn't be, in its eyes, a slave.)
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To: HAL9000

I dare you!

I double dare you!

I double dog dare you!


12 posted on 08/18/2004 12:46:35 PM PDT by sharktrager (The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And the paving contractor lives in Chappaqua.)
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To: HAL9000

Sorry, but I believe that they already made their preemptive strike when their goons crossed into Iraq and attacked our troops...OVER A YEAR AGO DURING THE INVASION!


13 posted on 08/18/2004 12:46:35 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (<a href="http://www.michaelmoore.com" target="_blank">Hatriotism)
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To: HAL9000

What rubbish! Even this mullah-tool knows that an attack on American forces is the one thing that would guarantee a strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. He is playing to the mob in the street.


14 posted on 08/18/2004 12:46:52 PM PDT by atomic conspiracy ("Paz en nuestro tiempo, la paz de los muertos")
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To: HAL9000
Iran insists that its nuclear intentions are peaceful...

Well, okay. But just to be sure, maybe we should make them cross their heart and hope to die.

15 posted on 08/18/2004 12:46:52 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

They're sweating. This was part of the reason why we invaded Iraq in the first place.


16 posted on 08/18/2004 12:47:00 PM PDT by r9etb
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To: HAL9000

COME GET SOME, YOU F***ERS!


17 posted on 08/18/2004 12:47:05 PM PDT by Constitution Day (...Reporting live from the Holy Barbecue City of Wilson, NC...)
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To: HAL9000

Hello Mullah. Hello Fatwah.
Bomb Iran with... Frank Sinatra


(all I could think of)


18 posted on 08/18/2004 12:47:32 PM PDT by Mr. K
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To: jdege

ref your post #7- that would be a neat trick. how do we do it? (not saying it cant be done!)
The Capt.


19 posted on 08/18/2004 12:47:49 PM PDT by Capt.YankeeMike (get outta my pocket, outta my car, and outta the schools)
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To: HAL9000

Ha..... he must be putting vodka in his chai. If they stuck American troops, Tehran would be a parking lot.


20 posted on 08/18/2004 12:47:50 PM PDT by Levy78
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