‘Iran to stage massive air force drills’

[LRE]

‘Iran to stage massive air force drills’

* Revolutionary Guards chief claims upgrade of air force fleet, radar systems

TEHRAN: Iran can deter any threats against it, the head of the Revolutionary Guards said in comments published on Wednesday, after the country’s air force announced plans for a military exercise to help deter its foes.

“The enemies of Iran would not dare to undertake any direct threat or any other action against Iran,” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. US leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to assuage fears about Iran’s nuclear activities. Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from emerging as a nuclear-armed power.

It staged an air force exercise in June that stoked speculation about a possible assault on Iranian nuclear sites. But Iran has refused to halt sensitive nuclear work, as demanded by the powers before formal negotiations can begin on a package of trade and other benefits they have offered to Tehran. Tension increased further last week after Iran test-fired missiles in the Gulf, including one it says could reach the Jewish state and US bases in the Middle East.

Iran has vowed to strike back at Tel Aviv, as well as US interests and shipping, if it is attacked. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Iran has the ability to launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting sections of eastern and southern Europe. Jafari said the United States and Israel had realised their “weakness” in relation to Iran: “With the measures we have devised the threats against our country are being nipped in the bud,” he said in the northwestern city of Orumiyeh.

Upgrade: Iran’s state Press TV late on Tuesday said the country’s air force would in the near future hold large-scale drills. Iran is estimated to have 280 combat aircraft, including Russian-made MiG 29 fighter jets, but serviceability may be 80 percent or lower. “We have upgraded our air force fleet, radar systems, and missile systems over the past few years and we are now ready to counter any threat,” Air force commander Ahmad Mighani said.

But analysts say Iran’s real ability to respond to any attack could be with more unconventional tactics than a missile salvo, such as deploying small craft to hit oil tankers, or using allies in the area to strike at US or Israeli interests. reuters

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