Iran warns against 'surprise attack' August 12, 2008 presstv.ir

Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, Aug 12 Iran's Defense Minister Mohammad-Najjar has warned that its response to a surprise enemy attack would be a greater surprise for the aggressor. He said Iran has developed an extensive defense force to repel any possible attack, adding the Islamic Republic is currently a major defensive power. Najjar said the armed forces have mass-produced a range of advanced defensive equipment including a radar-evading warship and an unmanned mid-jet submarine as well as a high-tech naval weapons system capable of targeting any warship within a range of 300 kilometers from its shores. He added that Iran's newly-developed strategic products have considerably increased the country's naval capabilities. Najjar comments follow reports about an armada of US naval battle groups heading toward the Persian Gulf with the aim of reinforcing US strike forces in the region. On Monday, DEBKAfiles, a source close to Israeli intelligence agency, reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Ronald Reagan, and the USS Iwo Jima are sailing toward the Persian Gulf accompanied by a British Royal Navy carrier battle group and a French nuclear hunter-killer submarine. The deployment is believed to be the largest naval task force assembled by the United States and its allies in the region since the 1991 Persian Gulf war. The move comes almost a week after Operation Brimstone, which was conducted by the US, British and French naval forces in the Atlantic Ocean. The 12 warships taking part in the war games were apparently, preparing for a possible attack against Iran. Washington and its allies have threatened to take military action against Iran if it does not give up the right that international law has bestowed on all NPT signatories to enrichment uranium as part of a civilian nuclear program. Tehran, however, has refused to give into pressure. In response to the threats, Iran has further enhanced its defensive power by conducting several maneuvers and testing new homemade weaponry. “The maneuvers that have been carried out recently are held one after another to keep our armed forces prepared and strong. Fortunately, these exercises have shown our great defensive capabilities to the world,” concluded the Iranian defense minister. SF/MJ/DT

           _________________

Comment:

The following list are US Navals heading towards the Persian Gulf right now:

* Carrier Strike Group Two:

USS Theodore Roosevelt (DVN71) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing Eight
Destroyer Squadron 22:
USS Monterey (CG61) guided missile cruiser
USS Mason (DDG87) guided missile destroyer
USS Nitze (DDG94) guided missile destroyer
USS Sullivans (DDG68) guided missile destroyer
USS Springfield (SSN761) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine
IWO ESG ~ Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group
USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) amphibious assault carrier with its Amphibious Squadron Four
and with its 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
USS San Antonio (LPD17) assault ship
USS Velia Gulf (CG72) guided missile cruiser
USS Ramage (DDG61) guided missile destroyer
USS Carter Hall (LSD50) assault ship
USS Roosevelt (DDG80) guided missile destroyer
USS Hartfore (SSN768) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine

* Carrier Strike Group Seven:

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing 14
Destroyer Squadron 7:
USS Chancellorsville (CG62) guided missile cruiser
USS Howard (DDG83) guided missile destroyer
USS Gridley (DDG101) guided missile destroyer
USS Decatur (DDG73) guided missile destroyer
USS Thach (FFG43) guided missile frigate
USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7) fast combat support ship

* Carrier Strike Group Nine:

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing Two
Destroyer Squadron Nine:
USS Mobile Bay (CG53) guided missile cruiser
USS Russell (DDG59) guided missile destroyer
USS Momsen (DDG92) guided missile destroyer
USS Shoup (DDG86) guided missile destroyer
USS Ford (FFG54) guided missile frigate
USS Ingraham (FFG61) guided missile frigate
USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG60) guided missile frigate
USS Curts (FFG38) guided missile frigate
Plus one or more nuclear hunter-killer submarines
Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group:
USS Peleliu (LHA-5) a Tarawa-class amphibious assault carrier
USS Pearl Harbor (LSD52) assult ship
USS Dubuque (LPD8) assult ship/landing dock
USS Cape St. George (CG71) guided missile cruiser
USS Halsey (DDG97) guided missile destroyer
USS Benfold (DDG65) guided missile destroyer

Iran: Intruding jet belonged to NATO October 8, 2008 presstv.ir

A Falcon jet that violated Iranian airspace and was forced to land in the Islamic Republic belongs to the NATO forces, a report says. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Falcon jet, carrying military personnel from various nations including Hungary, was heading to NATO bases in Afghanistan. The plane reportedly took off from Turkey and strayed into Iranian air space on September 30, a Fars News report said. Following the violation, Iranian fighter jets guided the aircraft from above the country's northern provinces to Tehran's Mehrabad airport and forced it to land. After interrogation of the the NATO personnel, and a full inspection of their equipment and papers, it was determined that the aircraft did not enter Iran intentionally so, it was allowed to leave for its earlier destination, Afghanistan, the news agency said. A number of governments, including Hungary, have apologized to Iran's government for the incident. AO/JG/RA

US planes make secret landings in Kenya August 11, 2008 presstv.ir

Prescott Support Group is said to have strong CIA links. US military planes have been making secretive landings in Kenya in what is feared to be an effort to move terror suspects. The night landings by US military planes at Nairobi's Wilson Airport, carrying Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives, have raised suspicion among both local security agents and aviation authorities. The planes belonging to the Prescott Support Group, which has been accused in other parts of the world of being involved in the rendition of terror suspects and having strong links with the CIA, were allowed to operate in Kenya two months ago, even after the country's aviation authorities questioned the move. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director-General Chris Kuto said the planes were only involved in "aerial mapping operations". "We did give them a license yes but only to carry out mapping activities in Northern Kenya. I am not aware of any other secret activities they are involved in," Kuto told Press TV correspondent in Kenya on Sunday. The issue raises concerns especially at a time when Kenya security forces are in a frantic search for terror suspect, Fazul Abdullah Mohamed, accused of masterminding the August 1998 attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi which left more than 200 people dead and 5,000 others seriously injured. Leaked CIA reports cite suspects being arrested, shackled, blindfolded and sedated, after which they are transported, usually by private jet, to other countries like Ethiopia where torture is used to force them into submission. Human rights groups in Kenya have voiced concern over the mistreatment of terrorism suspects and the harassment of Muslims in the country under the guise of anti-terrorism efforts. Kenya has previously handed over more than 15 terror suspects to the US and Ethiopian authorities in an exercise that angered many Muslim leaders. FF/BGH