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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| Iran would punish Israel partners in war | |
| 2008-11-23 | |
| A top Iranian commander says Iran will retaliate against any country that would aid and abet a potential strike against Iranian interests. Brigadier General Seyyed Mohammad Hejazi, the Chairman of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Saturday that Iran has drawn up plans to take retaliatory measures against potential aggressors and their accomplices. This comes as Israeli echelons have stepped up their efforts to portray Iran as an international threat, claiming that the country seeks nuclear weaponry. Tehran, a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) denies the Israeli claim, insisting that its enrichment program is solely directed at the civilian applications of the technology. While maintaining that a nuclear Iran would pose an existential threat to Tel Aviv, Israeli officials argue that the use of military force is a legitimate option in halting Iran's nuclear progress. Since the historic victory of Barack Obama in the US presidential election, Tehran has seen an explicit increase in Israeli threats against its nuclear program. Commander of Israeli Air Force (IAF) General, Ido Nehushtan, has said in a recent interview that his forces are 'ready' to attack Iran's nuclear sites whenever Tel Aviv gives a green light.
Iran, in response, has warned that should any of its national interests come under attack by either the US or Israel, its armed forces would target Israel and American bases in the region. In a show of power, the Iranian military has recently test-fired its medium- and long-range missiles -- such as the advanced Shahab-3 and the newly-tested Sejjil missile. On Saturday, Brig. Gen. Hejazi said in spite of a ballistic response, Iran, in times of war, would become 'an even bigger quagmire' than Iraq and Afghanistan for the US. For Washington to assist Tel Aviv in a war against Tehran, its forces would have to use territories of the two US-occupied countries or Bahrain -- where the US 5th Fleet is stationed. "We have ensured that if any harm is inflicted on Iran, anyone who assists the aggressor will suffer hurtful retribution," warned Jazayeri. The Iranian general also claimed that the IRGC naval forces are capable of destroying US warships in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz -- if the White House envisions a new military conflict in the oil-rich region. | |
| Posted by:Fred |