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Iran's Revolutionary Guards firing missiles in the desert outside the city of Qom in 2006.
 (Bloomberg News)
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Last update - 17:09 28/09/2009
Iran: Attacking us will expedite Israel's last breath
By Haaretz Service and Agencies
Tags: Iran, Nuclear, Missile 

Iran's defense minister warned Israel again on Monday against launching any attack on the Islamic Republic, shortly after Iran test fired missiles reportedly capable of hitting Israel.

"If this [Israeli attack] happens, which of course we do not foresee, its ultimate result would be that it expedites the Zionist regime's last breath," Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on state television.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly expressed alarm over Iran's nuclear ambitions and refused to rule out pre-emptive military action to prevent Iran from developing an atomic weapon.
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Israel considers Iran a strategic threat due to its nuclear program, missile development and repeated references by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Israel's destruction.

Iran, which insists its nuclear work is for peaceful power generation, has often shrugged off the possibility of any such strikes.

Vahidi, a former commander in the elite Revolutionary Guards, said that in the event of an Israeli attack its "lifespan, which is today coming to an end, would be speeded up."

He added that the "Zionist regime", the term Iran uses for Israel, was on a "slope of destruction."

Iran says it tested missiles 'capable of hitting Israel'

Earlier Monday, Iran said it successfully completed two days of missile tests including the launching of its longest-range missiles, weapons capable of carrying a warhead and striking Israel, U.S. military bases in the Middle East, and parts of Europe.

Iranian state television said the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which controls Iran's missile program, successfully tested upgraded versions of the medium-range Shahab-3 and Sajjil missiles with can fly up to 2,000 kilometers. It was the third and final round of missile tests in two days of drills by the Guard.

The Sajjil-2 missile is Iran's most advanced two-stage surface-to-surface missile and is powered entirely by solid-fuel while the older Shahab-3 uses a combination of solid and liquid fuel in its most advanced form, which is also known as the Qadr-F1.

Solid fuel is seen as a technological breakthrough for any missile program as solid fuel increases the accuracy of missiles in reaching targets.

The war games come at a time when Iran is under intense international pressure to fully disclose its nuclear activities. They began Sunday, two days after the U.S. and its allies disclosed that Iran had been secretly developing an underground uranium enrichment facility and warned the country it must open the site to international inspection or face harsher international sanctions.

Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guard Air Force, said Sunday the drills were meant to show Tehran is prepared to crush any military threat from another country.

The revelation of Iran's previously secret nuclear site has given greater urgency to a key meeting on Thursday in Geneva between Iran and six major powers trying to stop its suspected nuclear weapons program.

Television footage on Monday showed a missile soaring into the sky in desert-like terrain, to shouts of Allahu Akbar ("God is Great").

Earlier in the day, state TV said Iran had test-fired other medium-range missiles, a day after the Islamic Republic's elite Revolutionary Guards launched short-range missiles as part of several days of war games.

State Press TV, Iran's English-language satellite channel, said the Guards had test-fired Shahab 1 and 2 missiles with a range of between 300 and 700 km.

"Iran has successfully test-fired medium-range Shahab missiles with multiple warheads," Press TV said, adding the drill was aimed at "boosting the armed forces' deterrent capabilities."

Iran conducts war games or tests weapons to show its resolve to counter any attack by foes like Israel or the United States.

"Iran flexes muscles ... The tests are likely to be seen as an act of defiance by Iran," daily Iran News said.

Iran tests missiles on eve of Yom Kippur

On Sunday, Iran test fired the short-range missiles, state television reported, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

Gen. Salami told reporters on Sunday that Iran tested a multiple missile launcher for the first time.

Press TV showed pictures of at least two missiles being fired simultaneously and said they were from Sunday's drill in a desert in central Iran. In the clip, men could be heard shouting Allahu Akbar as the missiles were launched.

"The message of the war game for some arrogant countries which intend to intimidate is that we are able to give a proper, strong answer to their hostility quickly," the Web site of state television quoted Salami as saying. He said the missiles successfully hit their targets.

The missile maneuvers coincided with increased tension in Iran's nuclear dispute with the West, after last week's disclosure by the Islamic Republic that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.

The United States, which along with Israel and other Western nations suspects Iran is seeking to build nuclear bombs, has previously expressed concern about Tehran's missile program. Iran insists its nuclear work is for peaceful power generation purposes.

On Yom Kippur in 1973, a coalition of Arab states launched a surprise attack on Israel. The ensuing conflict, the Yom Kippur War, was particularly costly and traumatic for Israel.


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      1.   Haaretz seems to be hinting on something 09:58  |  MR 27/09/09
      2.   Missiles 10:33  |  Moshe 27/09/09
      3.   All this because of endless bluster from Israel`s leaders 10:38  |  ex likud 27/09/09
      4.   Israels safety and the WILL of its neighbors 10:39  |  Fritz T. 27/09/09
      5.   Whats so unusual? 10:40  |  John the American 27/09/09
      6.   Yom Kippur 11:18  |  Maureen 27/09/09
      7.   Iran 11:37  |  Joe Kelsall 27/09/09
      8.   Yom Ke-Purim approaching, and Haman rears his ugly head again 12:13  |  Dan 27/09/09
      9.   EUROPEAN HAMAS LOVERS,THINK AGAIN!!!! 12:47  |  Ian 27/09/09
      10.   Where did they get their missiles? 13:34  |  Brod 27/09/09
      11.   Iran`s long 2000 KM missiles are coming 13:44  |  Irani 27/09/09
      12.   Stop being paranoid! 14:02  |  Maureen Ann 27/09/09
      13.   above 14:04  |  moishe 27/09/09
      14.   #10--Uh huh! 14:46  |  SBG1576 27/09/09
      15.   At least this war will be short and deadly.... 15:37  |  Balkan boy 27/09/09
      16.   Irani 15:42  |  man in white suit 27/09/09
      17.   Irans missles are not only aimed at Israel but at the US thru 15:58  |  ks Shelley 27/09/09
      18.   5 John the American 16:10  |  Sabra 27/09/09
      19.   Irani be careful 16:24  |  Gilad 27/09/09
      20.   Success Rate 16:54  |  Thom 27/09/09
      21.   Psychological Warfare 16:55  |  Anonymous 27/09/09
      22.   Iran and psychological warfare 17:12  |  Anonymous 27/09/09
      23.   so??? 18:03  |  razvratit 27/09/09
      24.   Any strike will force the iranian opposition to succumb to the 18:31  |  Kris Lazar 27/09/09
      25.   LOL..Maureen doesnt even know a basic fact that iranians 18:53  |  Peter 27/09/09
      26.   Iran`s nukes 19:30  |  Henning 27/09/09
      27.   The Chimp 19:40  |  Mark Lincoln 27/09/09
      28.   Mark Lincoln Very Profound 20:36  |  Rambo 27/09/09
      29.   (2nd try) Don`t be paranoid. 21:50  |  Maureen Ann 27/09/09
      30.   Arrogance and hypocrisy... 00:52  |  Damian Lataan 28/09/09
      31.   #20; Maureen Ann; Put up or shut up. 02:18  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/09
      32.   respect 04:18  |  J D H 28/09/09
      33.   Iranian Missle tests 04:25  |  Eric 28/09/09
      34.   Not 1939; Try 1962 and Nearly October 07:13  |  Mark of Lewiston 28/09/09
      35.   New world arm race 07:35  |  Niva dos Santos 28/09/09
      36.   Iran, The Overzealous Convert Is Scaring The Gehenna Out Of Its.. 07:38  |  Lavi 28/09/09
      37.   Same old spin 07:42  |  Neil 28/09/09
      38.   Ian from Newcastle. 09:42  |  john Spear 28/09/09
      39.   a significant step in a long road 09:43  |  sami abu ismail 28/09/09
      40.   Kris Lazar 09:46  |  john Spear 28/09/09
      41.   Murray Montreal 09:46  |  Arieka 28/09/09
      42.   Maureen Ann and clear vision 09:49  |  john Spear 28/09/09
      43.   Lavi US zionist 10:00  |  john Spear 28/09/09
      44.   Moron-ann PARANOIA 10:19  |  Joe V.Moer 28/09/09
      45.   STOPPED 10:58  |  PATRICK WARNER 28/09/09
      46.   iran 11:02  |  Yaron 28/09/09
      47.   so what? 11:09  |  yerushalmi 28/09/09
      48.   #28 Maureen Ann - only 364 days (not on Yom Kippur)... 11:54  |  S 28/09/09
      49.   So why didn`t Israel shoot it down? 12:02  |  Chris Linthwaite 28/09/09
      50.   Iran`s missiles 12:51  |  Brod 28/09/09
      51.   Iran can hit israel - is not defensive - but highly offensive 12:56  |  Avi 28/09/09
      52.   #Murray of Montreal. Where have you been, mate? 13:21  |  Maureen Ann 28/09/09
      53.   :: Iranian nuclear submarines 13:55  |  Matty Groves 28/09/09
      54.   What exactly did Iran say? 14:17  |  WHG 28/09/09
      55.   Irani threat! 14:48  |  Errica Cohen 28/09/09
      56.   Self defeating strategy 14:57  |  Daniel Zylbersztajn 28/09/09
      57.   Great Price To Pay To Poke Holes In Iran`s Caliphate Cacoon 15:29  |  Lavi 28/09/09
      58.   STOPPED 15:30  |  PATRICK WARNER 28/09/09
      59.   Neil, you are bang on!! 15:36  |  David Ben 28/09/09
      60.   FREEZING 15:41  |  CARLOS 28/09/09
      61.   Same Old Same Old 15:43  |  macbent 28/09/09
      62.   #49, Patrick Warner, start googling... 15:43  |  Silvienne 28/09/09
      63.   MR PATRICK WARNER. 15:43  |  David Ben 28/09/09
      64.   #45 Chris Linthwaite; That`s your propaganda, not Israel`s 15:46  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/09
      65.   #49 Maureen Ann; I am not holding my breath 16:15  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/09
      66.   Iran has as much right.... 16:19  |  Silvienne 28/09/09
      67.   Haaretz & Readers 16:34  |  Persian Kitty 28/09/09
      68.   #45 PATRICK WARNER 16:37  |  Bill 28/09/09
      69.   # 58 David Ben +#57 Simpleton; Here is the proof 16:40  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/09
      70.   it won`t happen 17:04  |  guy 28/09/09
      71.   groves 17:09  |  Yaron 28/09/09
      72.   What`s good for the goose... 17:11  |  Bazmann 28/09/09
      73.   Interesting Picture 17:26  |  A TRUE American 28/09/09
      74.   Smoke and Mirrors 17:31  |  Alan 28/09/09
      75.   HISTORY LESSON 17:33  |  A TRUE American 28/09/09
      76.   A three year delay in Irans plan would be wise 17:36  |  Avi 28/09/09
      77.   As usual 17:40  |  wibism 28/09/09
      78.   Brod - Iran`s Missiles are Homemade 17:41  |  Mark of Lewiston 28/09/09
      79.   Iran increases tension before talks as most extortionists would 17:41  |  Avi 28/09/09
      80.   Look at yourself in the mirror 17:42  |  John 28/09/09
      81.   Maureen Ann #12... 17:53  |  Heather Czerniak 28/09/09
      82.   Persian Kitty- I`m With You and So are Many Others 17:56  |  Jane 28/09/09
      83.   I`ll Huff and I`ll Puff.... 18:02  |  Jane 28/09/09
      84.   The trouble is that these Iranian madmen do not realize... 18:16  |  Esther 28/09/09
      85.   Never forget Munich 1938! 18:26  |  r cummings 28/09/09
      86.   Murray...no need to hold your breath 18:29  |  Tim 28/09/09
      87.   I remember that picture too! 18:36  |  Mary Witherspoon 28/09/09
      88.   Yep, it`s a doctored photo. Here`s the link... 18:42  |  Heather Czerniak 28/09/09
      89.   #64 Murray of Montreal 19:01  |  Chris Linthwaite 28/09/09
      90.   re Niva dos Santos 19:25  |  Sol 28/09/09
      91.   Hebron settlers will go running for Syria. 19:39  |  Uri Weinstein 28/09/09
      92.   Persian Kitty 19:44  |  Charles 28/09/09
      93.   #79, Sol is quite correct... 19:46  |  Silvienne 28/09/09
      94.   Israel`s Dimona Nuclear Weapons Factory In 3D 19:47  |  jay 28/09/09
      95.   A poetic folk, those Iranians 19:49  |  Mark B. 28/09/09
      96.   Israel should not fear 19:53  |  arik 28/09/09
      97.   The Media is more dangerous than Religions 20:11  |  not your homey 28/09/09
      98.   Mark of Lewiston #74 20:16  |  Brod 28/09/09
      99.   86 `uri weinstein` 20:22  |  alan 28/09/09
      100.   Iran is scared 20:38  |  Yonatan 28/09/09
      101.   Iran: Attacking us will expedite Israel`s last breath 20:40  |  Miss Piggy 28/09/09
      102.   Would the Iranian Army fight in case of an Israeli ground attack? 20:44  |  Yonatan 28/09/09
      103.   I imagine that Israeli missile subs 20:50  |  Yonatan 28/09/09
      104.   Any military attack on Iran 20:53  |  Yonatan 28/09/09
      105.   The Iranians have to think more than twice.... 20:57  |  Edward 28/09/09
      106.   Chris, Iran didn`t shoot the missiles over Israel 21:02  |  Reid 28/09/09
      107.   Brod, North Korea sold missiles and missile technology to Iran 21:03  |  Reid 28/09/09
      108.   #88, Yonatan.... 21:08  |  Silvienne 28/09/09
      109.   New guiding system makes missile more dangerous 21:23  |  Bloodyscot 28/09/09
      110.   Murray - Thanks for the Quotes 21:37  |  Reid 28/09/09
      111.   this Iranian test is pure provocation 21:43  |  Charles 28/09/09
      112.   Iran is fool 22:03  |  syrian opinion 28/09/09
      113.   #27 Lincoln - Are you trying to be leader of the pack 22:15  |  *BEN JABO 28/09/09
      114.   92 Brod - Not the Stereotypes Painted 22:22  |  Mark of Lewiston 28/09/09
      115.   Missiles 22:43  |  Luca 28/09/09
      116.   #9 23:25  |  Anita 28/09/09
      117.   re#99 Edward 23:33  |  Cali Cal 28/09/09
      118.   Yonatan -- do you know where Israel gets their oil? 23:49  |  binny 28/09/09
      119.   Response 23:52  |  Richard 28/09/09
      120.   A point to consider 23:58  |  WHG 28/09/09
      121.   Iran: Attacking us will expedite Israel`s last breath 02:21  |  Antony 29/09/09
      122.   Guy Response from Boston 02:27  |  Antony 29/09/09
      123.   IRI,at the brink of grave 02:32  |  Michael 29/09/09
      124.   Maureen # 6 03:07  |  Philippe 29/09/09
      125.   Syrian opinion # 105 03:13  |  Philippe 29/09/09
      126.   Bis repetita non placent 03:17  |  Philippe 29/09/09
      127.   Iran 03:27  |  alcycle 29/09/09
      128.   Iran: Attacking us will expedite Israel`s last breath 03:32  |  Viewer 29/09/09
      129.   irani 03:39  |  annoyed 29/09/09
      130.   Thank You, Persian Kitty 03:39  |  bb (not that one) 29/09/09
      131.   Yonatan re Iranian Army Question 03:43  |  Persian Kitty 29/09/09
      132.   conventional missile damage is better than glowing in the dark 04:04  |  zionist forever 29/09/09
      133.   Rambo - You are slow on the math fella 04:07  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      134.   Translating for headlines - Mark of Lewiston 04:10  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      135.   Jane, it`s all he has left 04:16  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      136.   MAUREEN Ahmadinejad chats with the secret Immam 04:21  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      137.   Reality to Brod, Reality calling Brod 04:29  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      138.   Chris Linthwaite - no, it is not 04:31  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      139.   Of course it is scared Yonatan 04:33  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      140.   Yonatan - yes, they would 04:35  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      141.   Listen 04:44  |  Middle East Guru 29/09/09
      142.   Arabs and Israel 05:08  |  Middle East Guru 29/09/09
      143.   Iran will never attack Isarel 05:13  |  Adam Rahman 29/09/09
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    #126 Philippe

    		12:07  |  Interesting 29/09/09
      145.   #108 Silvienne - I hate to tell you, but I must 15:00  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      146.   #62 Silvienne - Practice what you preach 15:04  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      147.