'Israel simulating attack on Iran'

Romanian gendarmes guard a path leading to the crash site



Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137052§ionid=351020101


An open source intelligence report says the Israeli military helicopter that crashed in Romania last week was simulating a military attack on Iran.

On Monday, six Israeli soldiers and a Romanian flight captain aboard a CH-53 transport helicopter were killed when the chopper crashed in a mountainous region of central Romania.

The Jerusalem-based DEBKAfile cited a military source as saying on Friday that the crash had occurred in the last stage of a joint Israeli-US-Romanian military drill simulating an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

On a straight line, the distance between Tel Aviv and Iran's nuclear facility in Nataz is 1,600 kilometers (1000 miles). The source said that the Israeli military is cooperating with counties like Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria, which have roughly the same distance with Israel.

The operations, which include risky dives into low altitudes and quick radar-evading maneuvers, are extremely hazardous, the source added.

The drills, dubbed 'Blue Sky 2010,' are underway based on Israeli allegations that Tehran is pursuing a secret military nuclear program, building a nuclear facility in deep tunnels beneath mountains with summits of above 2,000 meters.

Iranian officials reject both charges, stressing that Tehran is cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to keep its civilian nuclear program transparent.

They argue that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear technology.

This is while Israel -- reportedly the Middle East's sole possessor of a nuclear arsenal -- has so far defied international calls to sign the NPT.

Israeli has openly threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear installation for years. The likelihood of such an attack has significantly increased due to Tel Aviv's growing impatience with the United Nations Security Council sanctions and similar unilateral measures adopted by the US and EU, which have failed to change Tehran's stance on its peaceful nuclear issue.

Tehran says the sanctions are politically-motivated and stem from its refusal to give into 'global arrogance.'

MP: Israel to vanish if Iran attacked

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=136997§ionid=351020101


A senior Iranian parliamentarian insists if Israel makes any wrong moves against Iran, it will be wiped off the earth by a severe response.

Noting that the US is the prime sponsor of "the Zionist regime," the Deputy Chairman of Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Ismail Kosari added Sunday that Tel Aviv is unable to take any action without the American support, stressing that Israel acts as a US front to intimidate the Islamic Republic, IRNA reported.

According to Kosari, the Israeli regime knows well that it will soon regret any moves against Iran.

He emphasized that Israeli threats against Iran are merely intended to serve as a psychological warfare, reiterating Iran's determination to deliver a much harsher response in case the Tel Aviv regime dares to materialize any of its threats.

Kosari also cast doubt over the scenario of potential US-Israeli schemes against Iranian interests in international waterways, noting that their agenda are globally exposed.

The remarks by the Iranian MP comes following the passing of an unbinding resolution in the US congress by its Republican members invoking support for an Israeli attack on Iran, and as the two allies continue intensive international efforts to stir opposition against Iran's peaceful nuclear program and deviate attention from international calls to probe Israel's undeclared possession of over 200 nuclear warheads.

Other members of the Iranian Majlis have also spoken against such threats, reiterating Iran's resolve in delivering a harsh blow to the Tel Aviv regime in the unlikely case of any military action.

Republicans push world toward WW III

US President Barack Obama (R) Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu


Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=136084


Republicans in the US House of Representatives have introduced a resolution voicing support for a possible Israeli military strike against Iran.

House Resolution 1553 declares full support for Israel to use all means to eliminate what it calls "nuclear threats posed by Iran," including military force.

The House Republicans also promised to provide Tel Aviv with critical economic and military assistance, including missile capabilities.

Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu called for more weapons during his recent visit to Washington.

Press TV discusses the issue with former US Senator Mike Gravel the following is the transcript of the interview:

Press TV: The introduction of the measure coincides with a pattern of renewed calls for military strikes that have escalated since President Obama signed the "crippling" Congressional Iran sanctions into law ,how much do you blame Obama's decisions for the recent measure taken by the congress?

Gravel: Well first off, I consider Obama's conduct to be absolutely irresponsible and [it] sets the stage for the Republicans caving in under the pressure of AIPAC, the house of representatives, to give license to Israel to go ahead and attack Iran.

This is probably the stupidest and craziest thing that the United States of America could be involved in.

Israel has no right to object to Iran's pursue of nuclear energy and there is no proof that there is any effort to weaponize it on the part of Iran.

So for them to turn around and possibly start a war with Iran over no factual data at all, the Republican conduct is caving and keep in mind these are the same people that started the Iraq war.

I cannot tell you how irresponsible this is, a war that is very, very serious. Iran is not Iraq. Iran is not Syria. If the Israeli's are fool enough to strike Iran, they will ruin the day and it could possibly trigger a third world war.

Keep in mind this would be an attack on an Islamic nation, unprovoked, and what would be the answer? Israel will get in deep trouble and as a result to that the US would be forced into a situation that now the rest of the Islamic communities will respond. Pakistan also has nuclear weapons.

This could just escalate beyond and Iran is no push over, they have missiles, they can strike back, and they will. They will retaliate. This could trigger a world economic depression.

This is the level of idiocy on the part of American leaders, and of course, Netanyahu is nothing but a war-mongering hawk.

Press TV: Neoconservatives who were instrumental in orchestrating the Iraq War, such as Bill Kristol, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, have led the stepped-up calls for military action.

In spite of enthusiasm from the neoconservatives, top US military leaders have warned of the many dangers of military strikes against Iran, I would like to know your comments on that too.

Gravel: Well they are at least more sober in this regard, keep in mind that we are having trouble fighting two wars and we are broke and we are risking the possibility of another war and so the military knows how stretched out we are and I think some of the military leaders share my view and that is that this could trigger a third world war between the Islamic world and the West.

House OK's possible Israeli raid on Iran

The US Congress


Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=136016§ionid=351020101


Republicans in the US House of Representatives have introduced a measure that would green-light a possible Israeli bombing campaign against Iran.

Resolution 1553 provides explicit support for military strikes against Iran, stating that Congress backs Israel's use of 'all means necessary' against Iran, "including the use of military force," BBC Persian reported.

The introduction of the measure coincides with a pattern of renewed calls for military strikes that have escalated since President Obama signed Congressional Iran sanctions into law.

Neo-conservatives who were instrumental in orchestrating the Iraq War, such as Bill Kristol and Reuel Marc Gerecht, have led the stepped up calls for military action.

Hawkish former Bush administration official John Bolton recently laid out the game plan to prod Israel into attacking Iran, arguing that outsiders can "create broad support" for a strike by framing it as an issue of Israel's right to self-defense.

Supporters for military strikes, Bolton says, should "defend the specific tactic of pre-emptive attacks" against Iran.

He said that Congress can 'make it clear' that it supports such strikes and that 'having visible congressional support in place at the outset will reassure' Israel.

In spite of support from the neo-cons, top US military leaders have warned of the many dangers of military strikes against Iran.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has argued "Another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need. In fact, I believe it would be disastrous on a number of levels."

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has expressed his own serious reservations about an attack on Iran.

The US, which is already providing billions of dollars worth of arms to Israel every year, describes Tel Aviv's military edge in the region as being in America's interest.

'Israel would never dare to attack Iran'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=132871§ionid=351020101



Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ruled out the possibility of a military attack on Iran over its nuclear program, saying no country would dare to launch an offensive on the country.

In an interview with the Kyodo news agency, when asked about prospects for an Israeli attack on Iran, Ahmadinejad said, "No one dares to do so."

"Israel is on a course of decline. Moreover, Iran is a great country and was not established by occupying other countries' land or through terrorism, imprisonment, and killing. Iran has a 7,000-year-old civilization," Ahmadinejad said in the interview, according to a report posted on the Iranian Presidential Office's website on Wednesday.

"The United States, which is the master of the Zionists, does not dare to attack Iran, let alone a fake regime (Israel) whose existence is dubious," the Iranian president added.

Ahmadinejad also stated that new sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program will not compel the Islamic Republic to relinquish its rights.

"They assume that if they brandish a stick during negotiations, they can take advantage of Iran, but they should know that this will not happen," the Iranian president said.

Israel — the only entity in the Middle East that possesses nuclear weapons — has repeatedly voiced its determination to stop Iran's nuclear program, even through military means.

Tehran says its nuclear program is completely peaceful and has never been diverted to weapons production.

Saudis say they won't help Iran's enemy

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130164§ionid=351020205


Saudi Arabia has denied a British report claiming Riyadh had agreed to allow Israel to use its airspace to attack Iran.

Saudi Arabia "rejects violating its sovereignty or the use of its airspace or territories by anyone to attack any country," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying on Saturday. But it declined to name the official.

The source called the allegations "false" and "slanderous" and stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its position of firm opposition to and rejection of the violation of its sovereignty and the use of its airspace or territory by anyone to attack any country.

It is more appropriate that Saudi Arabia should apply this policy to the authority of the Israeli occupation regime, with which it has no relationship in any way, SPA quoted him as saying.

'Saudis to allow airspace for Iran war'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130086§ionid=351020205



Saudi Arabia has reportedly launched a series of military maneuvers aimed at allowing Israeli jets to use the kingdom's airspace for an aerial attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

US defense sources speaking on condition of anonymity told The Times on Sunday that Israel has been given overflight clearance by Saudi Arabia and is permitted to use northern Saudi airspace in the event of military confrontation with Iran.

To clear the way for Israeli bombers en route to Iran, Riyadh has reportedly been conducting tests to practice keeping its own jets out of harms way while ensuring that missile systems in the kingdom remain completely deactivated.

"The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way," one US defense source said on Saturday.

"They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren't scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [US] State Department," he added.

Meanwhile, Arab sources reported that Saudi defense officials had made arrangements with Israel in case it decided to carry out its long-stalled military plans against Iran, stating that they both share a mutual hatred for the Iranian government and its nuclear activities.

For years, Israel has threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear installations. However, the likelihood of any such attack has significantly increased due to Tel Aviv's growing impatience with international sanctions, which have failed to change Tehran's stance on its peaceful nuclear issue.

Dodging scrutiny over its own arsenal of up to 200 nuclear weapons, Israel accuses Iran of refining uranium for military purposes.

Iran, however, dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful energy production and under close supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.