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.
That mushroom cloud collage kicks ass.
Yeah, right. There is a zero percent chance of this happening.
We should be actively supporting efforts to destroy the ayatollahs from within.
I assure you we are.
Where are Vince Vance & the Valiants when we need them? Sounds to me like it is time to sing along with Bomb Iran.
China and Iran Test-Fire Missiles http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/9/5/185309.shtml
Whoa, watch it. You might hurt someone's feelings. Heaven help you if you ever write a book...
Time for Plan "R"....
(insert picture of Slim Pickins as Maj Kong)
Iran has 4 divisions on the Iraqi border. I don't know how many troops that equals but its a bunch.
As the Marines would say, lets "get some". Funny how the Iranians think they can threaten us; note to Iran: Look at Iraq - if you dont shut your mouth you could be next.
"Russia and Iran in practice, and not in words, are fighting this plague of the century (terrorism)," Ivanov said.
Iran fighting against terrorism? What a laugh! I'm guessing Russia is just whoring after the all mighty ruble. I hope that's all this is about. When the crap hits the fan, one can only hope Russia will be on the right side of the equation. It seems Iran knew it would be on the bombing list as soon as 9-11 happened, and has been preparing for the inevitable for several years.
LOL big time!
- waiting -
Nope, still funny.
This kind of talk is absolute foolishness. It sounds like the stuff Saddam was saying before Gulf War I. If they attempt an attack against our forces in Iraq, they will be crushed decisively in just a couple of days. I agree that this mullah is just shouting out nationalistic rhetoric for the mob in the street.
There's a lot of airdales in the region going "oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please!"
I know that there are some Warthog drivers kicking the tires and loading up the ammo tubs, too. (Warthog drivers aren't "airdales" in my opinion - they're grunts with wings and a REALLY BIG GUN)
Islam at its finest.
This article was distributed by "Agence France Presse"; is that the French portion of the Associated Press? If so, these guys seem to be playing instigators.
The response from the idiot leaders of Iran, make them sound suicidal. When they say they can be in Iraq as well, they speak the truth. (sort of) The Sonovabitches are already there.
Where's Sam Kennison when we need him? He had a great bit in the '80's about Regan crossing Libya's "line in the sand": "Oh here it is, I'm crossing it....oh I'm crossing it again....etc."
Thanks for the photo, it's my new wallpaper.
If Kerry becomes President, he will take care of this Iranian problem when the attack becomes "imminent"!
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