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Last update - 09:10 16/07/2008 Report: Iran to hold large air force exercise to strengthen deterrence By Reuters Tags: Iran, missile test, IDF  Iran's air force plans to hold a large-scale exercise to strengthen deterrence against any threats, a media report said, a week after the country test-fired missiles in war games criticised by the West. Air force commander Ahmad Mighani said on Tuesday the combat and defensive drills will be held in the near future, Iran's state Press TV satellite station said on its website. Iran is estimated to have 280 combat aircraft, including Russian-made MiG 29 aircraft, but serviceability may be 80 percent or lower. Advertisement Iran last week tested missiles in the oil-rich Gulf, including one it says could reach Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East, and Washington reminded Tehran that it was ready to defend its regional allies. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Iran has the ability to launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting sections of eastern and southern Europe. U.S. leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to assuage fears about Iran's nuclear activities, which the world's fourth-largest oil producer says is only to produce electricity. Israel has sworn to prevent Iran from emerging as a nuclear-armed power. Iran has vowed to strike back at Tel Aviv, as well as U.S. interests and shipping, if it is attacked. Some U.S. facilities across the Gulf are little more than 200 km from Iran's coast, with air and naval bases in nearby Arab states such as Qatar and Bahrain. But analysts say Iran's real ability to respond to any attack could be with more unconventional tactics than a missile salvo, such as deploying small craft to hit oil tankers, or using allies in the area to strike at U.S. or Israeli interests. In Washington on Tuesday, a senior U.S. official said the United States would send an envoy to talks in Geneva on Saturday between Iran and major powers over Tehran's nuclear programme. U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns will join European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and envoys from China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany in the meeting with Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, the official said. It follows Solana's trip to Tehran in June when he presented a package of economic and other incentives proposed by world powers to coax Iran to halt sensitive nuclear work the West fears is aimed making bombs, a charge Tehran denies. Tehran has repeatedly refused to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, as demanded by the six world powers before formal negotiations can begin on the offer, which includes help to develop a civilian nuclear program. Related articles: Iran test fires missiles said to be capable of hitting Israel Israeli defense sources: Iran missile test not an advanced Shahab-3 as Tehran claims Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch? Ahmadinejad: Direct talks with U.S. possible in 'near future' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Kafka's heir Many believe Hava Hoffe is in possession of an important literary treasure. Press doyen Eric Silver, veteran of the foreign press corps in Jerusalem, dies aged 73.   1.   Iran 09:34  |  Millicent 16/07/08   2.   "LARGE AIRFORCE EXERCISE"....??? 10:01  |  Robert 16/07/08   3.   I wonder 10:26  |  Guy From NYC 16/07/08   4.   Iran Air Force 10:40  |  Persian Hero 16/07/08   5.   To Israel and the U.S. you can sleep but don`t snore please 10:42  |  denk u. 16/07/08   6.   For Millicent # 1 11:36  |  Clickfool 16/07/08   7.   Wow 280 planes. Well, 80% of 280, but still. Wow ^_^ 12:12  |  Denise Thompson 16/07/08   8.   #4 Persian Hero "I heard rumors" 12:40  |  H 16/07/08   9.   # 7 denise 13:27  |  Axel 16/07/08   10.   #8, H 13:47  |  Persian Hero 16/07/08   11.   Should be good for a laugh 14:03  |  Ivor Dwatt 16/07/08   12.   #9 Indeed true, Axel 14:37  |  Johnboy 16/07/08   13.   Is Ahmadinejad afraid ? 15:01  |  Jean Van Daem 16/07/08   14.   Axel & Johnboy 15:23  |  Robert 16/07/08   15.   US Grant 15:26  |  Ramius 16/07/08   16.   # 14 robert 17:21  |  Axel 16/07/08   17.   #14, Robert 17:31  |  Persian Hero 16/07/08   18.   15 Ramius - Thanks 18:29  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/07/08   19.   Iran -time is running out..... 18:48  |  George 16/07/08   20.   The iranian airforce/missile program is a joke 19:05  |  Denise Thompson 16/07/08   21.   Iran 19:11  |  George Heinz 16/07/08   22.   War Lesson2:Never underestimate your enemy.Never 20:45  |  Marco 16/07/08   23.   # 20 denise 20:47  |  Axel 16/07/08   24.   War Lesson3: keep initiative,if you react.. you will be defeated. 20:54  |  Marco 16/07/08   25.   #20, Denise, your comments is more funny 00:35  |  Persian Hero 17/07/08   26.   #14 Robert, that was a single air RAID. 01:58  |  Johnboy 17/07/08   27.   Clickfool, who said that Chamberlain? 02:56  |  Dan 17/07/08   28.   If Israel has initiative it will strike first. 08:54  |  Marco 17/07/08   29.   more airbrushed `deterrence` 17:18  |  frenz 17/07/08   30.   Wars have made great nations...... 19:19  |  Iranian-American 17/07/08   31.   No 8 ...Mr. H .... 22:04  |  sohel saheen 17/07/08   32.   Khamenei & Ahmadinejad laknatallah !!! 05:52  |  Piter Hazael Winata 18/07/08

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