Iran cleric: We'll hit 'heart of Tel Aviv' if attacked
Iran to hold drills to protect nuclear sites; officer blames Israel for Russia delay in missile deal.
By Reuters Tags: Iran nuclear Israel newsA senior Iranian cleric warned on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would fire missiles at Tel Aviv if attacked, shortly after Iran's military announced it would begin large-scale drills on Sunday to help protect its nuclear facilities.
"If the enemy should want to test its bad luck in Iran, before the dust from its missiles settles in this country, Iran's ballistic missiles would land in the heart of Tel Aviv," said cleric Mojtaba Zolnour, the IRNA news agency reported.
Zalnour is a deputy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative in the Revolutionary Guards, which will be staging the defence drills together with the regular armed forces.
The United States and Israel have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the row over Iranian nuclear work that the West suspects is aimed at making bombs.
Iran, which insists its nuclear program is solely to generate electricity, has also threatened in the past to hit back at Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf if it is attacked.
The war games are due to last five days, Iranian media quoted Brigadier General Ahmad Mighani as saying.
The officer also suggested Iran could itself produce an advanced missile defense system that Russia has so far failed to deliver to the Islamic Republic and which Washington and Israel do not want Tehran to have.
The official IRNA news agency said the exercises would take place in western Iran and that they would be "huge."
Iran believes Russia's delay in supplying high-grade S-300 missiles was due to pressure by Israel, not technical problems as cited by Moscow, Mighani said.
"We are hopeful the Russians will ignore the pressure of the Zionist lobby," Fars News Agency quoted him as saying on Saturday. Iran refers to Israel as the "Zionist regime."
The military maneuvers will involve both the elite Revolutionary Guards and the regular armed forces against a hypothetical enemy, Iranian media reported.
"This week's air defense maneuvers will be held with the intention of protecting the country's nuclear facilities," Mighani said, Fars reported. State television said the defense drills would "ensure better protection" for these facilities.
The war games were announced a day after senior officials from six world powers said they were disappointed Iran had not accepted proposals intended to delay its potential to make nuclear weapons, and urged Tehran to reconsider.
The United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France met after U.S. President Barack Obama warned there could be a package of sanctions against Iran within weeks.
Iran often holds defense exercises and announces advances in military equipment in order to show its readiness to counter any threats over its disputed nuclear program.
Iranian officials have over the last few weeks voiced growing frustration at Russia's failure to deliver the S-300.
Moscow, which is under Western pressure to distance itself from Iran over the nuclear dispute, has not followed through on proposals to supply the missiles to the country.
"They have declared technical problems as the underlying reason for this delay, but we think it has been due to the Zionists' pressure," Mighani said, according to Fars.
"In various manoeuvres, new and modern missile networks will be used and evaluated, including the advanced S-300 missiles, for which the production capability exists in Iran," IRNA quoted him as saying, without elaborating.
A senior lawmaker, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, earlier this month also said Iran would be able to produce the S-300 system itself, appearing to refer to missiles with similar capabilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Russia last month for failing to provide the arms to Iran.
The truck-mounted S-300PMU1, known in the West as the SA-20, can shoot down cruise missiles and aircraft. It can fire at targets up to 150 km away.
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A photo released by Iran claiming to show the launch of an of a medium-range missile during a drill in September. |
| Photo by: (AP) |
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It is natural to hit someone who hits you, ain`t it? Yes it is. but that's not what people said when Hamas shot rockets from gaza into civilized locations in israel.
Well then, get your backside to where the action may occur and be ready to pitch in, you war mongering little weasel
And the devil can take the hindmost Meanwhile, Iran has repeatedly said she was going to strike Israel and wipe it out, here's some reading, try and absorb the written words IRAN ? THREATS TO ISRAEL http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,484958,00.html May 25, 2007 Ahmadinejad Threatens Israel with Destruction Iran's president is at it again, threatening Israel with destruction should it intervene in Lebanon again. The bellicosity comes as the UN nuclear watchdog warns that Iran may be as little as three years away from a nuclear weapon. It's hardly surprising any more when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatens Israel with destruction. It wasn't so long ago that he suggested the country be moved to Alaska. Or just wiped off the map. But in a Thursday speech at Isfahan broadcast on state television, he issued a threat more direct than any that had come before. If Israel, he said, were to go to war against Lebanon again this summer, it would be destroyed. "If this year you repeat the same mistake of the last year," the Iranian president intoned, "the ocean of nations of the region will get angry and will cut the root of the Zionist regime from its stem." The speech came just hours after a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that Iran's ongoing enrichment of uranium meant that the country could have a nuclear bomb within three to eight years Vol XXXVI (No. 7), 27 Jul 2008 Iranian President vows to quit UN and wipe out Israel MIL/Agencies, Apr 25, 2006. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated his vow that Iran would wipe out Israel off the world map. He continued to say "We cannot allow this fake regime of Israel to exist any more." . In wide-ranging remarks, Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Israel was an artificial state that could not continue to exist. He repeated his remarks that Iran would wipe out Israel from the world map. "Some 60 years has passed since the end of World War II, why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay now for a war in which the current generation was not involved," Ahmadinejad told a press conference. The Iranian president has long campaigned against Israel, saying last October that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map." He has said Europe should better find home for Israelis, whom Iran would not allow to live on the Palestinian land. "Open the doors (of Europe) and let the Jews go back to their own countries," the president said on Monday. http://www.internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=1264 VOA also has an article concerning this situation http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2008-10-03-voa2.cfm
If only you had the wits to look for it by yourself IRAN ? THREATS TO ISRAEL http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,484958,00.html May 25, 2007 Ahmadinejad Threatens Israel with Destruction Iran's president is at it again, threatening Israel with destruction should it intervene in Lebanon again. The bellicosity comes as the UN nuclear watchdog warns that Iran may be as little as three years away from a nuclear weapon. It's hardly surprising any more when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatens Israel with destruction. It wasn't so long ago that he suggested the country be moved to Alaska. Or just wiped off the map. But in a Thursday speech at Isfahan broadcast on state television, he issued a threat more direct than any that had come before. If Israel, he said, were to go to war against Lebanon again this summer, it would be destroyed. "If this year you repeat the same mistake of the last year," the Iranian president intoned, "the ocean of nations of the region will get angry and will cut the root of the Zionist regime from its stem." The speech came just hours after a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that Iran's ongoing enrichment of uranium meant that the country could have a nuclear bomb within three to eight years Vol XXXVI (No. 7), 27 Jul 2008 Iranian President vows to quit UN and wipe out Israel MIL/Agencies, Apr 25, 2006. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated his vow that Iran would wipe out Israel off the world map. He continued to say "We cannot allow this fake regime of Israel to exist any more." . In wide-ranging remarks, Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Israel was an artificial state that could not continue to exist. He repeated his remarks that Iran would wipe out Israel from the world map. "Some 60 years has passed since the end of World War II, why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay now for a war in which the current generation was not involved," Ahmadinejad told a press conference. The Iranian president has long campaigned against Israel, saying last October that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map." He has said Europe should better find home for Israelis, whom Iran would not allow to live on the Palestinian land. "Open the doors (of Europe) and let the Jews go back to their own countries," the president said on Monday. http://www.internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=1264 VOA also has an article concerning this situation http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2008-10-03-voa2.cfm
and here's what Iran had to say about destroying Israel IRAN ? THREATS TO ISRAEL http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,484958,00.html May 25, 2007 Ahmadinejad Threatens Israel with Destruction Iran's president is at it again, threatening Israel with destruction should it intervene in Lebanon again. The bellicosity comes as the UN nuclear watchdog warns that Iran may be as little as three years away from a nuclear weapon. It's hardly surprising any more when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatens Israel with destruction. It wasn't so long ago that he suggested the country be moved to Alaska. Or just wiped off the map. But in a Thursday speech at Isfahan broadcast on state television, he issued a threat more direct than any that had come before. If Israel, he said, were to go to war against Lebanon again this summer, it would be destroyed. "If this year you repeat the same mistake of the last year," the Iranian president intoned, "the ocean of nations of the region will get angry and will cut the root of the Zionist regime from its stem." The speech came just hours after a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that Iran's ongoing enrichment of uranium meant that the country could have a nuclear bomb within three to eight years Vol XXXVI (No. 7), 27 Jul 2008 Iranian President vows to quit UN and wipe out Israel MIL/Agencies, Apr 25, 2006. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated his vow that Iran would wipe out Israel off the world map. He continued to say "We cannot allow this fake regime of Israel to exist any more." . In wide-ranging remarks, Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Israel was an artificial state that could not continue to exist. He repeated his remarks that Iran would wipe out Israel from the world map. "Some 60 years has passed since the end of World War II, why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay now for a war in which the current generation was not involved," Ahmadinejad told a press conference. The Iranian president has long campaigned against Israel, saying last October that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map." He has said Europe should better find home for Israelis, whom Iran would not allow to live on the Palestinian land. "Open the doors (of Europe) and let the Jews go back to their own countries," the president said on Monday. http://www.internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=1264 VOA also has an article concerning this situation http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2008-10-03-voa2.cfm
Iran has said she will attack!!! Try reading some of Ahmadinejad's statements instead of posting your own altered versions of the facts It's no wonder your website vanished We have ample examples of your Rogue Journalism
Its not important what happens in the next few years.Israel may attack, may not. Iran may respond may not. But what is a fact is that if Iran is attacked it will continue its nuclear program and also pursue an aerial defense program, like the s-300. It will also continue to develop its missile technology and its no doubt that the Iranians will succeed in building a better military. They have very qualified scientists that are making progress rapidly. Just look at their space program and sattelite launch. Which other nation under sanctions has achieved so much? And the same thing gos for neighbouring countries. Theyre going to get stronger and better militarily and economically.
Isreal does not 'yakaty yak', they do 'just do it'. Iran is the big mouth constantly threatening Isreal.. Iran may not be Hamas but they are still the same enemy in Isreal's eyes, and should take note of how Israel is quite capable of dealing with her enemies. Think of Hamas's previous beating by the IDF. Iran wont be able to find Tel Aviv amid the dust of their annihilation! It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see this end game.
It is natural to hit someone who hits you, ain't it? Iran has all the responsibility to kill those terrorists, nations or organizations, who attack them. I am pretty sure Iran can inflict considerable damage to Israel. maybe its time for some real action against israel.
Stop the yakaty yak. They are not hamas so better know what you are getting into.
it already went nagative and was at 0 when you were busy with saddam smart guys.
"When is Israel going to defend itself before those Iranian rockets start raining on Israel? " The rockets sent IF Iran is attacked first? "Israel should not wait as a sitting duck for those huge rockets to destroy the nation." You're inviting rockets sent in retaliation? Madness in a word.
"Have they taken into account the ossibility that, even as I write, Israeli toopships disguised as innocent-looking oil tankers or merchant vessels may be sailing close to their shores ready to land thousands of troops, artillery, tanks and other materiel?" Do some maths dear fellow..... Are they aware of the possibility that, under the waves of the Persian Gulf, Israeli missile subs may be lurking? I think the Iranians have good reason to be afraid.
"Israel plans to hit military targets aimed at it`s heart .." No Israel plans to attack civilian Nuclear facilities. "while Iran plans to hit civilian targets...." Where is the IDF headquarters?
Thank you for telling us YOU want a war. Iran has only said it will retaliate if it is attacked.
If you think thousand of Israeli troops woul dinvade Iran, you must be on drugs old boy.. And then what, they occupy it like the west bank or southern Lebanon?? Even the US military is currently unable to invade Iran, it would requir eevacuating Iraq and Iran is a lot bigger.
if your attacked by your own people for rule by violence
You all seem to miss the piece about "IF ATTACKED", again I emphasize this little point for all you educated and smart people, read it again: "IF ATTACKED". so please read, think than respond.
OK! Everyone in Tel Aviv stay away from downtown after the upcoming US attack on Iran. You will be safe as long as Iran's missiles are accurate. If not, there will be lots of Iranian missiles falling on Gaza and South Lebanon.
"The clock is ticking and soon Tehran will be laid to waste if they don`t conform to international norms." but it is OK for Israel to disregard 'international norms', is that right ?
Iranians are slightly better than that in psycho-warfare, and are slightly less afraid than what we think. Partly because they are a fanatical, terror-sponsoring dictatorship; and partly because despite that, they are far more sophisticated than your "where's-the-pickaboo".
This "man of peace" makes some naive assumptions. Firstly, assuming that Israel is unprepared for this. Secondly, Iran will have little or nothing left to fire or military sites to fire from. Thirdly, the U.S. has a massive arsenal on their border and will not sit quietly by while Iran rockets Tel Aviv.
Israel would create a reason to attack Hizbullah first, Hamas is already neutralised as a first step, the last step would be the distribution of the masks. Once this is done then the attack will be imminent. If this does happen, the third world war would have started as predicted by Nostradamus.
Direct threats , indirect acts of war in arming it's murdering islamic terrorist organisations - Hamas and Hezbollah with instructions to attack Israel and the Jewish people . Israel should respond with a declaration of war , simultaneously with the crushing of the nuclear bomb making facilities . The total , maximum , use of it's offensive capability should be utilised . If executed cleverly , there will be no response from iran and it's missiles . Their nations computer functions will cease to exist .
Iran has threatened to vaporize Israel repeatedly. When is Israel going to defend itself before those Iranian rockets start raining on Israel? Israel should not wait as a sitting duck for those huge rockets to destroy the nation. It is time to act instead of being distracted by irrelevant issues to make Israelis unprepared as they were in 1973.
Is trying to divert attetion from the Palestinian issue, they will not take a risk as the attack of Iran. It is very complicated and complex. The U.S.have enough problems in that part of the world. We can not afford to open another front. Israel will be vulnarable as the population is concentrated in a small area, whereas Iran is a huge contry. If Israel happen to attack I predict that half the Israeli population will immigrate in a hurry.
Roger, you are 100% right. Before all the world the mullahs threaten to bomb Israel's biggest civilian center--code word for "we'll kill all the Jews"--and I haven't seen any protests yet from HRW, Amnesty International, the UN, the EU, the Pope, Goldstone, Falk and all the other "useful idiots" wwhose shouts about Israel we hear all day long...Israel, be strong and of good courage!!
I always thought that third world countries cannot challenge Western powers where they have mastery. Arab armies were easily defeated when facing Isreal or the US. Iran can make a lot of dammage to the US if it sides with Mujahedin in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Shiaa-Sunni differences are second to western agression. Had Mujahedin been supplied by adequate arms, western powers defeat would have already materialized. Jihadists are facing US+NATO with light arms.
...of course Israel won't attack. The Obama administration will not allow the little rogue state to ignite WWIII. It would be pretty stupid on Israel's part to attack anyway. If it does, Israel in its current form will cease to exist.
Remember your last invasion of Lebannon and look what to the so called invincable IDF.
Funny, you should mention.....we never thought you'd be such an idiot!! To actually send your planes to us??? Are you freaking kiddin us?ROFL Iranian People: We always knew you were a loser....Ahhhh....and look where you ended up! A well-deserved place. Enjoy!!!! :o)
Yonatan shalom, The only army that Iran fought against for some 8 years was that third rate military of Saddam Hussein which was demolished by the US Army in about ten days. Imagine what ZAHAL could do in 6 days. However, ZAHAL has other plans. The skies will glow over every Iranian military facility including its nuclear "peaceful plants". Good night.
If Israel believed that Iran posed a huge threat then they wouldn't have waited so long to bomb Iran. Israel knows that they are screwed if they go into Iran because an Iranian reaction will be like hell on earth. America is already stretched fighting 2 lost wars, Obama doesn't want to get involved with a 3rd lost war with Iran. Israel needs to stop whinging and face the fact they will no longer be a super-power in the Middle East!
One is under the impression that the Iranian Regime is currently exercising war games with its own citizens, truly, that is the opposition figures that have declared the last elections as fraudulent. The Iranian Regime cannot expect Israeli aircraft to fly into downtown Tehran in the near future. Rather, naturally they in fact know it, Israel will whack their RG Installations and whatever is deemed as a valued target by using a fraction of of its of ICBM "frappe de force". The Arab world, the West and many other countries will finally be relieved of this burden. I wonder, when we can expect the final day of judgment so well deserved to these pathetic lackeys that hold the true Iran hostage. Yes, its called FREEDOM. That has been denied to the people of Iran. Goodnight from snowy Alps.
how ready are they to withstand a ground invasion? Have they taken into account the ossibility that, even as I write, Israeli toopships disguised as innocent-looking oil tankers or merchant vessels may be sailing close to their shores ready to land thousands of troops, artillery, tanks and other materiel? Are they aware of the possibility that, under the waves of the Persian Gulf, Israeli missile subs may be lurking? I think the Iranians have good reason to be afraid.
And what do you think, remains from Iran, if you dare to attack Tel Aviv?
Alas, what we are hearing from the extremists in Iran is hot air and gas being passed. The clock is ticking and soon Tehran will be laid to waste if they don't conform to international norms. No one supports their nuclear intentions and their threats are empty gestures.... Tick, tock, tick, tock.
The MIGs you stole require premium Diesel fuel to perform well. Alaouakbarrrrr!
Israel plans to hit military targets aimed at it's heart while Iran plans to hit civilian targets....
that it can electronically monitor the spectrum of all their signals , get a better picture of how they mange their defense logistics, making the inevitable Israel attack more potent and less risky. I am hoping that Israel will have its stealth UAVs hovering over Iran when their air defenses are tested. Iran thank you for your help in planning our war.
I love Iran - the classic case of the school bully who's bark is far worse than his bite.
Actually it is not the missiles, it is the secret stealth flying carpets dropping unfurled turbins that the world neets to be worried about.
Let them think their nuclear weapons program will be knocked down from the air. Let them make their 'huge' war games under the watchful eyes of two dozen Western spy satellites. Let them make their own starwars defense shield. Good.
Somehow I think time is short !