Iran Begins War Games

Five days of very large-scale war games are being conducted by Iran to simulate attacks on its soil and nuclear sites especially. According to officials in Iran, this is being done, as even though Tehran has insisted that its nuclear programs are peaceful, a military attack and war has not been ruled out by the United States and Israel to prevent Iran from developing nuclear bombs.

These exercises are aimed at being ready to thwart aerial reconnaissance and air attacks, according to the head of Iran's air defense. Other officials warned, if attacked by Israel, Tehran would immediately retaliate with a missile strike on Tel Aviv. Brig Gen Ahmad Mighani told state media, "The aim of these war games, which will cover an area of 600,000 sq km, was to display Iran's combat readiness and military potentials. Due to the threats against our nuclear facilities, it is our duty to defend our nation's vital facilities." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's aide Mojhtaba Zolnoor also added, "Iran would respond to any Israeli attack. If the enemy attacks Iran, our missiles will strike Tel Aviv." Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards' air force wing said, Iran's air defense forces would annihilate Israeli warplanes if they attacked us. Their F-15 and F-16 fighters will be trapped by our air defense forces and will be annihilated. Even if their planes escape and land at the bases from which they took off, their bases will be struck by our destructive surface-to-surface missiles."

UN's nuclear watchdog had proposed that some of Iran's nuclear material be enriched outside in other countries, like Russia and France. This is something Iran outrightly rejected. Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany have urged Tehran to reconsider this decision. The whole idea of making Iran enrich their nuclear material outside, is because such a process would automatically prevent them from enriching uranium to a degree which will allow them to make nuclear weapons and a bomb. Sanctions have been placed on Iran, including financial and travel restrictions.