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.
I hope it is the policy of the US that Iran will never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons
It better be.
Keep talking, raghead.
Hey Mullah? Don't think so.
Hey Mullah? Don't think so.
Lets get it over with.
Do you think there's any chance at all that we'll be able to misdirect Iran into trying to invade Iraq?
Ali Shamkhani sure sounds a lot like Baghdad Bob. I think Israel would wipe Iran off the map if attacked.
Yo, Shamkhani. This MOAB's for you.
"Bring it on..."
Provide Israel with the U.S. IFF codes that would be valid for 6 hours.
I dare you!
I double dare you!
I double dog dare you!
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!
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.
Well, okay. But just to be sure, maybe we should make them cross their heart and hope to die.
They're sweating. This was part of the reason why we invaded Iraq in the first place.
COME GET SOME, YOU F***ERS!
Hello Mullah. Hello Fatwah.
Bomb Iran with... Frank Sinatra
(all I could think of)
ref your post #7- that would be a neat trick. how do we do it? (not saying it cant be done!)
The Capt.
Ha..... he must be putting vodka in his chai. If they stuck American troops, Tehran would be a parking lot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.