Iran vows to use 'smart' bomb on enemies

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/26/07 | Ali Akbar Dareini - ap

[NormsRevenge]

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran vowed Sunday to use a new 2,000-pound "smart" bomb against its enemies and unveiled mass production of the new weapon, state television reported.

The government first announced development of the long-range guided bomb Thursday, saying it could be deployed by the country's aging U.S.-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets.

"We will use these (bombs) against our enemies when the time comes," Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on state television Sunday.

Iran often announces new weapons for its arsenal, but the United States maintains that while the Islamic Republic has made some strides, many of these statements are exaggerations.

The broadcast included a brief clip of a fighter jet apparently dropping one of the bombs, which destroyed a target on the ground.

The defense minister continued his threats as state television showed him unveiling a mass production line for the weapon in Tehran.

"We will use this weapon where we want to ... hit enemy's strategic and defense targets," Najjar said. "This will be used against our enemies, against those who violate our land and air space."

Israel said the claim underlines its concerns over Iran's arms buildup.

"All countries of the Middle East, Israel included, are concerned about expansionist Iranian policies, and about their aggressive military arms buildup," Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said. "There is no doubt that the regime in Tehran poses a very real threat to the peace and security of the region as a whole."

The United States and Israel accuse Iran of developing nuclear bombs, a charge Tehran denies. Iran's president has said Israel should be wiped off the map and Israel considers Iran its main enemy.

Emanuel Winston, a Middle East analyst at the Houston-based Freeman Center for Strategic Studies, said Thursday that Iran's smart bomb claim sounded "plausible" but said that it would be less dangerous than a missile development program given the limited range of the country's aircraft.

Najjar was more aggressive, saying the bomb "remarkably increases Iran's defense capabilities."

Iran launched its own arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq in response to a U.S.-led arms embargo. Since 1992, the country has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, and missiles.

Earlier this month, Iran said it had started industrial-scale production of its own fighter jet, known as Azarakhsh or Lightning, to upgrade its elderly air force, much of which dates from before the 1979 revolution.

Iran last year test-fired a "ultra-horizon" missile, two powerful torpedoes and a Fajr-e Darya missile capable of avoiding radars and hitting several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads during large military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.

___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

[NormsRevenge]

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, left, visits the 2000-pound 'smart' bomb at the production line for manufacturing the Iran-made bomb in Tehran, Iran, Sunday Aug. 26, 2007. 'We will use these (bombs) against our enemies when the time comes,' Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on state TV. The guided bomb, named Qased or Messenger, can be deployed aboard Iran's aging U.S.-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets. Najjar made the comment as he unveiled the mass production line of the weapon in the capital, Tehran. 'We will use this weapon where we want to ... hit (our) enemy's strategic and defense targets' Najjar said. Pictures of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, and Iran's late leader Ayatollah Khomeini, right, are seen in background. (AP Photo/Soureh Photo, Moayeri)

[stm]

They are of course assuming that we will not have destroyed their entire air force in the air or on the ground beforehand. Go ahead and bring a knife to a gunfight Iran.

[Mr. Mojo]

"We will use these (bombs) against our enemies when the time comes," Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on state television Sunday.

Never have I seen a regime consistently beg for a beatin' like the current Iranian one.

[Allegra]

Uh, yeah....let us know how that works out for you, Iran.

[MaxMax]

For a second I thoguht they had a bomb that only killed Christians and Jews.

Hey Akmanutjob, pull my finger.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Miss Bomarc

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I wonder which of our “allies” sold them the technology.

[Thumper1960]

Dear Ahmanutbag:

When you wish to die, and take a multitude of Iranians with you, please provoke us.

We're waiting for your response.

[Mikey_1962]

The first television camera guided bomb was tested by the US ARMY AIR CORP in 1942.

Just lets you know where the Persians are.... about 60 years behind.

Think about this: The army they fought for 8 years to a stalemate was eliminated in 3 weeks by the USA.

They should be shaking with fear of the USA.

[EGPWS]

The government first announced development of the long-range guided bomb Thursday, saying it could be deployed by the country's aging U.S.-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets.

They can do better than the F-5 (short ranged fighter) or the F-4 (fuel to noise converter) can't they? /snicker

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

F4’s vs F22’s? I don’t think so.

[Allegra]

They should be shaking with fear of the USA.

Not to mention that Iran is surrounded by U.S. forces.

[Dick Vomer]

In a related story the head of Iranian Air Farce had these words of warning to United States Air Force, Naval Air Wings and the IDF

[EGPWS]

They should be shaking with fear of the USA.

Sadly enough we are shaking in fear via the MSM instead and are more focused on rebuilding bridges and paying off idiots who didn't purchase flood insurance and have lost their home's because of complacent attitude.

[EGPWS]

Not to mention that Iran is surrounded by U.S. forces.

Iran knows that Washington D.C. is infiltrated by liberal politicians.

It gives them a cocky attitude.

[EGPWS]

F4’s vs F22’s? I don’t think so.

F-4's are relic's and we need to put them to rest anyway.

[Mikey_1962]

They should be shaking with fear of the USA.

Not to mention that Iran is surrounded by U.S. forces.

Yes but THAT points out that the Persians are a regional power only because we have removed their two biggest worries: Saddam and the Taliban.

WE are the reason they feel more empowered.

What we give we can take away.... In about 3 weeks, if Iraq serves as an example...

[EGPWS]

Yes but THAT points out that the Persians are a regional power only because we have removed their two biggest worries: Saddam and the Taliban.

WE are the reason they feel more empowered.

Your lack of making point of the Carter administration shows a lack of a history mindset.

[Salvey]

Never have I seen a regime consistently beg for a beatin' like the current Iranian one.

Indeed. Why are we denying them their heartfelt wish?

[Pamlico]

Gee, they develope,test and manufacture their own smart bombs and then they thoughtfully put markings on the bombs in English.