"Iran reveals silos with missiles able to hit Israel, US bases in Gulf; Weapons intended to deter attacks on nuclear program" by Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press / June 28, 2011
TEHRAN — Iran unveiled underground silos yesterday that can carry missiles capable of hitting Israel and US bases in the Gulf region as it began 10 days of war games.
State TV broadcast footage of deep underground silos, saying that medium- and long-range missiles stored in them are ready to launch in case of an attack on Iran.
The silos are widely viewed as a strategic asset for Iran in the event of a US or Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities. The country is in a standoff with the West over its disputed nuclear program....
The state television report broadcast footage of underground launching pads for the Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of more than 1,240 miles — also putting parts of southeastern and eastern Europe within reach.
Meaning they need that mi$$ile defen$e, right?
The report also showed pictures of missiles being fired from one silo after a large metal roof opened to allow the missile to launch....
The commander of the Guard’s Aerospace Force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, touted the silos as a crucial asset in its standoff with the West, saying that with “these facilities we are certain that we can confront unequal enemies and defend the Islamic Republic of Iran.’’
Another unidentified Guards officer told state TV that “only few countries in the world possess the technology to construct underground missile silos. The technology required for that is no less complicated than building the missile itself.’’
Israel, which views Iran as an threat to its existence, has accused Tehran of receiving assistance from North Korea in building underground missile sites. But Qelichkhani said the silos are based on local technology developed by Iranian experts.
I don't believe anything Israel says anymore, sorry. They have been caught lying too much.
Iran also said yesterday that it plans to send a monkey into space next month as the next step in its space program that Western leaders worry could also bring advances in the missile program.
The state-run news agency IRNA quoted the head of Iran’s space agency as saying that five monkeys are undergoing tests and one will be selected for the flight on a Kavoshgar-5 — or Explorer-5 — rocket. Last year, Iran announced it had launched a rocket carrying a mouse, turtle, and worms into space.
The Iranian war games, which began yesterday, are dubbed “The Great Prophet Six’’
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Iran conducts several war games every year, as part of its military self-sufficiency program that started in 1992, and frequently unveils new weapons and military systems during the drills.
The Islamic Republic remains locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear program, which the United States and its allies suspect is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Iran denies the charges, and says the program is only for peaceful purposes.
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"Iran’s president denounces the arrest of dozens of allies" by Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press / June 30, 2011
TEHRAN — Iran’s embattled president fired back yesterday after a wave of arrests of his allies, charging it is part of a politically motivated campaign to undermine his government and display the power of hard-line forces loyal to the country’s ruling clerics.
The accusations by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad highlight his stunning transition from favored son of the theocracy to an apparent adversary after seeking to expand the authority of the presidency and challenge the clerics’ grip on politics and policies.
So much for the new Hitler, 'eh?
Dozens of the president’s allies have been detained over the past months — including four senior government officials last week — in the power struggle....
For Ahmadinejad, the showdown has left him politically weakened with nearly two years left in his second and final term — suggesting that the Islamic establishment will keep a tight rein on affairs and is unlikely to offer any dramatic shifts in the standoff with the West over Iran’s nuclear program.
It appears that the ruling system will block anyone Ahmadinejad tries to promote as his potential successor.
He also faces huge obstacles to bringing more political allies into Parliament in elections set for early next year.
Hard-liners also have called for the arrest of Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei. They denounce him as the head of a “deviant current’’ that is perceived as questioning the system of clerical rule brought by the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Related:
"Mashaei is also despised by hard-liners for... his statements suggesting Iran can oppose Israel’s government but can be friendly with the Israeli people."
That's Ahmadinejad's man?
Wow, did my Zionist-controlled Amerikan media ever mislead me about that guy.
I wonder what else they are misleading me about (try like, everything).
Iran’s hierarchy remains unchallenged, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holding the final word in all important decisions.
See: Iran's Insecure Supreme Leader
But Ahmadinejad has been the target of a backlash for trying to impose too much autonomy in how the government is run, including defying Khamenei on his choice for the powerful intelligence minister post and remaining loyal to Mashaei.
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Btw, doesn't Iran have about 20,000 Jews living there?
