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View Full Version : Ahmadinejad extolls Iran's military might



Ironfield
18th April 2010, 02:52 AM
TEHRAN, Iran — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday extolled Iran's military might during an annual army parade, saying the country is so powerful today that no one would dare attack it. (Why tempt providence?!?)

The parade in Tehran showcased Iran's surface-to-surface Ghadr, Sajjil and Shahab-3 missiles, which have a range of up to 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) that puts Israel and U.S. bases in the region within Iran's reach.

The Shahab-3 missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Although Tehran doesn't have one, this has been a source for Western concerns along with Iran's controversial uranium enrichment program, which the international community fears masks ambitions for an atomic bomb.

"Today, our armed forces have so much power that no enemy will harbor evil thoughts about laying its hands on Iranian territory," Ahmadinejad said at the parade marking National Army Day. The speech was broadcast live on state TV, which also showed segments of the parade.

Ahmadinejad also urged the U.S. to stop supporting Israel and to dismantle the American military presence in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Tehran sees American troops on its doorstep in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf as a threat, and Ahmadinejad reiterated his allegations that the U.S. presence is the source of the region's instability.

"They have to leave our region, this is not a request, it is an order from the nations of the region. It is the will of the regional nations," said Ahmadinejad. "If they are interested in helping the security of the region, they have to dismantle their military presence in the region and stop supporting Israel."

Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.

Tehran has been also looking to upgrade its defenses, especially as Israel has refused to rule out an airstrike over concerns that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Tehran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, such as electricity production.
The advances in Iran's military technology cannot be independently verified.

Iranian news agencies reported that the parade Sunday also displayed an air defense system similar to Russian-made S-300, which is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 90 miles (145 kilometers) and at altitudes of about 90,000 feet.

Iran ordered Russia's advanced S-300 air defense system in 2007 but none have been delivered, allegedly due to technical glitches, though many believe the delay stems from international opposition to the sale.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Written by NASSER KARIMI (AP) – 1 hour ago

LuckyStrike
18th April 2010, 12:32 PM
My money is on Iran.

The US can't even beat ill equipped poorly trained arabs, so I doubt they stand a chance against a real military.

Remember that Iran kicked Iraqs ass even though the US was flooding Iraq with weapons and money.

Gaillo
18th April 2010, 08:29 PM
My money is on Iran.

The US can't even beat ill equipped poorly trained arabs, so I doubt they stand a chance against a real military.

Remember that Iran kicked Iraqs ass even though the US was flooding Iraq with weapons and money.


Yep. The Persians are nothing to be trifled with... if the U.S. is as hell-bent on attacking them as our saber-rattling would seem to indicate, we'd better be willing to go ALL the way (nukes) - I seriously doubt that conventional forces are going to cut it.

illumin19
18th April 2010, 10:08 PM
It would seem in a way, that Iran is asking for "the west" to attack them so they won't be viewed as the aggresor and not have only the sympathy but probable backing by other nations.

Not only do they the strongest military in the Mideast with technology but have a large fighting force. They also have one the largest land masses, access to vital Persian Gulf and...............ALLIES.

Lebanon is already in full stride with them.
Syria has a defense pact signed with Iran.
Much of Iraq is also backing them if anything happens......remember Al-Sadr and the "militia", and not to mention alot of Government officials and security apparatus were formely hiding in Iran.

Things could or should I say will get ugly fast when they get overtly involved.

Ironfield
19th April 2010, 02:11 AM
Gaillo, I concur the US military is too stretched on the fronts of Afghanistan and Iraq and I don’t think they’d have the man power for a conventional war, nor do I think the American people would stand for a third ongoing war.

I don’t know who will throw the first punch be it the US or Israel as both seem to be doing the saber rattling but as you point out illumin19, thinks in the middle east would indeed snowball out of control very rapidly.

-Ironfield