Iran sends missile test warning
Iran has test-fired what it called a new version of the Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of reaching its main regional enemy Israel, state media say.
The missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was one of nine launched from a remote desert site.
Iran has tested the Shahab-3 before, but the latest launch comes amid rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear programme.
The US denounced the test and called on Iran to abandon its missile programme.
Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
'Aggressive language'
The aim of the early morning launch of the "upgraded" Shahab-3 missile was to demonstrate Iran's "determination and power to the enemies who have used aggressive language during recent weeks", state media reported.
"We are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," said the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brigadier General Hoseyn Salami.
correction: &feature=related
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Lol, someone plse send them the following song:
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Just keep having that morning pint, 'cause ya never know when it'll all be over ;)
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
By Hashem Kalantari and Zahra Hosseinian Sat Jul 12, 3:01 PM ET
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran would destroy Israel and 32 U.S. military bases in the Middle East if the Islamic Republic was attacked over its disputed nuclear program, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Saturday.
The Islamic Republic and Israel have been embroiled in an escalating war of words in recent weeks, increasing speculation of military confrontation and helping to send global oil prices to record highs.
Iranian missile tests this week further stoked tension and rattled financial markets.
"The U.S. knows full well that with the smallest move against Iran, Israel and 32 U.S. military bases in the region would not be out of the reach of our missiles and would be destroyed," the semi-official Fars News Agency quoted Mojtaba Zolnour as saying in a speech.
Zolnour is the deputy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.
Israel staged an air force exercise last month that sparked speculation about a possible assault on Iranian nuclear sites.
Israel, long assumed to have its own atomic arsenal, has sworn to prevent Iran from emerging as a nuclear-armed power.
Washington has said it wants a diplomatic end to the row but has not ruled out military action should that fail.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has close ties with Iranian leaders, said on Saturday he wanted a political solution to the dispute, adding: "To the best of our knowledge, Iran has no intention of trying to obtain nuclear weapons."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080712/wl_nm/iran_nuclear_dc_37
Iraq's Chilling Economic Statistics
By Ali Abunimah
Iraq Action Coalition
March 18, 1999
Iraq's total GDP has fallen to just $5.7 billion, or $247 per capita, according to estimates by the well-respected Economist Intelligence Unit in The Economist's newly published annual supplement "The World in 1999." Just prior to the Gulf War, Iraq's GDP was more than ten times higher--around $60 billion
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/irq3-22.htm
Iran GDP: purchasing power parity - $347.6 billion (1999 est.)
http://nostalgia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran/Economy
Iraq was wealthiest and Iran i guess with highest population
well, let's see. . .
Of the three nations, which is the most populated, powerful, and wealthy?
I don't get your point, why would there be no need to be in Iraq or Afghnaistan, if relations were normal with Iran.
Next year is 30 years on since the Iranian revolution. I think the US missed the boat 10 years ago to attempt to normalize relations with Iran. If we had there might not have been a need to be in Iraq or Afghanistan. But I guess hindsight is always 20/20.
North Korea hardly resisted and just bargained for some favours. I think Iran keeps on playing this go a bit forward, then take a step back approach. Again Iran does has significant influence in both Iraq and Afghanistan. It cud cause significant problems for US there. I think Iran prolly will continue this policy, to stretch things as much as it can.
After these tests, Iran has agreed to meet w/ EU again on 14 July 08.
I think it was Saddam Hussein who did not think the US would take him out and UBL that the US was too weak to go after him in Afghanistan. Coming up on 7 years since 9-11 and we are still in both countries (and now making in-roads to Waziristan and NWFP) and it is barely on the radar for the presidential elections for 2008. If I was the leadership in Iran, I wouldn't bet the farm that the US won't go after them. They just put N. Korea to bed. . .
Whatever the technology old, new or extinct used, i doubt that UIran beleives that few missiles can effect the mis-match between military capabilities of US-Israel and Iran.
It's just a gesture that we are not being intimated by Iran from US-Israel talk.
Most likely Iran is trying to test US-Israel. At present Iran probably feel that US cannot afford to start another war ad the other thing is that Iran possibly yields significant influence in Iraq.
Foot in mouth taste for both Bush Administration and Iranian regime, see article:
By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer 18 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Iran's missile test this week did not demonstrate any new capabilities, according to a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence, and the test may not have included one of the longer-range missiles Iran claims was among those launched.
Iranian officials claimed the tests Wednesday and Thursday demonstrated a new variant of the Shahab missile that had a range of 1,250 miles. Such a missile would put much of the Middle East in striking distance, including Israel — as close as 650 miles from Iran — as well as Turkey, Pakistan and the Arabian peninsula.
The tests drew immediate criticism from U.S. officials. In Eastern Europe during the launches, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the missile tests underscored the need for a U.S. missile shield in the region.
But an independent national security blog, ArmsControlWonk.com, Thursday analyzed video footage of the launch posted by the Iranian government. It determined the missiles were identical to a version of the Shahab missile first demonstrated in Iran in 1998 that has a known range of 746 miles.
In a post called "Same old Boring Shahab 3," it compared the diameter of the missile to its length and found it to be identical to the 1998 version.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iran_missiles_1
The results of recent Iranian missile tests prove that US plans for a defence shield in Europe are unnecessary, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
He said the tests confirmed Tehran had missiles with a limited range of up to 2,000km (1,240 miles).
The US says it wants shield sites in Poland and the Czech Republic to defend US troops and allies from rogue states.
Following widespread condemnation over the tests, Iran says it is open to talks about its nuclear programme.
The state news agency said the chief Iranian negotiator, Saeed Jalili, would meet the European Union envoy Javier Solana on 19 July in Geneva - although this has not yet been confirmed by Mr Solana's office.
The BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says that although Iran seems willing to talk, it is unclear whether it is willing to give any ground.
Some analysts saw this week's missile tests as an attempt by hardliners to discourage compromise.
Threats
The tests are said to have included the Shahab-3, which could reach Israel and a number of US allies in the region, but not the proposed US shield bases in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The plans involve placing the tracking radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland. The US wants the sites to be in operation by about 2012.
Mr Lavrov told reporters in Moscow that the tests showed that "a missile defence shield with these parameters is not needed to monitor or react to such threats".
"We believe that any issue related to Iran should be resolved through negotiation, through political-diplomatic means... and not through threats," he said.
Moscow fears siting the system near its borders could weaken its own defences or be used to spy on Russia. It has previously threatened to aim its own missiles at any eventual base in Poland or the Czech Republic.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7501498.stm
Expert: Iran `doctored' photo of missile launches
By CARLEY PETESCH, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
NEW YORK - An Iranian photograph showing a cluster of missile launches was apparently altered to add a fourth missile lifting off from a desert range, a defense analyst said Thursday.
"There's no doubt the photo was doctored," said Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the Non-Proliferation Program for the London-based International Institute For Strategic Studies.
The image, posted Wednesday on a Web site owned by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, showed four missiles moments after launch, leaving trails of glowing exhaust and clouds of billowing brown dust.
Some media outlets used the photo Wednesday, but not The Associated Press.
The photo on the Sepah News site was replaced Thursday with an image showing three missiles — which appear to be the same as the earlier photo. In place of the fourth missile, however, the photo showed one still on the ground in its launch position and what appears to be a vehicle nearby.
That photo was used by the AP Thursday, and later the apparently altered photo was added for purposes of comparison. The image with four launches was taken off the Sepah site's main news page, but both photos were on its archive Thursday.
Fitzpatrick, a former State Department official who followed arms control issues, believes the photo was manipulated after the missile malfunctioned.
"They had a rocket launch and one failed," he said. "They have had other tests that have succeeded, but Iran tends to exaggerate its capabilities."
There was no immediate comment from Iranian government officials on the photos.
"The whole purpose of these launches was to demonstrate Iran's capabilities and a photo showing one out of four rockets failing doesn't have the intended impact," Fitzpatrick said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080710/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_missiles_photos_4
other countries have, and test nuclear weapons, then Iran, and any other country in the world has the right to do the same.
Way to go, Najadi!
Iran tests more missiles, U.S. vows to defend allies
By Edmund Blair 57 minutes ago
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran tested more missiles in the Gulf on Thursday, state media said, and the United States pledged to defend its allies against any Iranian aggression.
Washington, which fears Tehran wants to master technology to build nuclear weapons, said after Iran test-fired nine missiles on Wednesday that Tehran should halt further tests if it wanted to gain the world's trust.
Speculation that Israel could bomb Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month. U.S. leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080710/pl_nm/iran_nuclear_dc_23
Most oil sales throughout the world are denominated in United States dollars (USD)[1]. Because most countries rely on oil imports, they are forced to maintain large stockpiles of dollars in order to continue imports. This causes demand for USDs to remain high, regardless of economic conditions in the United States. This allows the US government to gain revenues through seignorage and by issuing bonds at lower interest rates than they otherwise would be able to. As a result the U.S. government can run higher budget deficits at a more sustainable level than can most other countries.
It also means that the price of oil is more stable in the U.S. than anywhere else, since importers do not need to worry about exchange rate fluctuations. Since the U.S. imports a great deal of oil, its markets are heavily reliant on oil and its derivative products (jet fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline, etc.) for their energy needs. The price of oil can be an important political factor; American administrations are quite sensitive to the price of oil.
Political enemies of the United States therefore have some interest in seeing oil denominated in euros or other currencies. The EU could also theoretically accrue the same benefits if the euro replaced the dollar. However, the European economy could also be seriously damaged if the euro were to appreciate significantly against the dollar or other world currencies.
In 2000, Iraq converted all its oil transactions under the Oil for Food program to euros.[2] When U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, it returned oil sales from the euro to the USD.[3]
After considerable delay, Iran has now opened an oil bourse which does not accept U.S. Dollars. Proponents of this theory fear that it will give added reason for the U.S. to topple the Iranian regime as a means to close the bourse and revert Iran's oil transaction currency to USDs.
In mid-2006 Venezuela indicated support of Iran's decision to offer global oil trade in the euro currency. (See: “Venezuela Backs Plan to Sell Oil in Euros” Associated Press, June 1, 2006) [1]
As a result they have limited ability to influence the denomination of sales one way or the other. A large number of traders would have to agree to a change in denomination before a change occurred.
Of particular concern is America's dependence on foreign oil. Many economists feel that the recent rise in oil prices is at least partially tied to the fall of the US dollar relative to most currencies. Since oil is priced in dollars, sellers have increased prices to compensate for their "real" loss of income. Economists generally agree that higher oil prices pose a risk of inflation, recession, or both. Inflation would almost certainly rise if the dollar were to depreciate heavily.
At least one U.S. Representative, Republican Ron Paul of Texas, has made very strong statements advancing similar views, using the phrase “dollar hegemony” to describe U.S. policy and proposing related reforms. [
I'm not there in Doha yet, but doesn't this worry you guys at all?? It seems so close to home (Doha) if anything were to come about. Anyone want to calm my nerves before I just pack up my family and move. I am still excited about the move to Doha but this just puts a little uncertantity into my plans....not that any of you could fix the situation! LOL :-)
The Saudis stand to gain the most They dn't like Iran and would be happy if it got hit.. It would leave the Saudis as the major power inthe region..
Brit: Koweit should be worried about it too. Not sure how it will affect Saudi Arabia.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
They are not nuclear missiles .
I think perhaps the Iranians may have done this to alert the American people of the possible consequences.
At the end of the day, the USA and Israel have enough fire power to counter any threat from Iran, but the small states like UAE, Qatar and Bahrain must be a little worried.
t_coffee: Well, aren't we, Europeans, that should give the example? You can develop it but without threatning anyone with it.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
I am confused here
If the powers to be can develop their nuclear arsenal why cant the rest
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I want to clarify that in no way i'll defend the U.S. on such a matter, but don't start dreaming with Russia getting envolved, never forget about NATO with countries like germany, england, france, italy, czech republik and soonish, Ukraine.
You don't need to invade a country to be considered hostile, by threatning other countries, without invading, you can also be blamed for starting that war.
Civilian matters? You test a missil that can carry nuclear when everybody is saying you to stop including a certain "International nuclear body", who's warnings have been continuously ignored by Iran?
In case you guys aren't aware, a nuclear war will be the end of the Humankind as we know it, but i don't think any of the sides will go 4 it because both would loose.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Iran...is going to get invaded even if it stops the neculear enrichment...
The acquirement of oil-rich states rings a dire warning....of a war with Russia. (Huge mammoth quantities of oil is needed in a major war).
The placement of the missile stations (Shields) in EU also promotes that theory.
who the heck is US to involve in everyones civil matters.
There is an international nuclearbody , let them do it.
Did anyone interfere with US when they made it?.. and they still have it.
Irf: Doesn't seam so, but a country that looks for peace doesn't make such tests mainly when we all know that he's developping nuclear, and this time it was confirmed by Ahmenijad, so, no, it's not like Iraq.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Probably they didn´t confirmed.
Did they confiremd that these missles had nuculear weapons inside it??? just like iraq WOMD were conifrmed?
No problem, as i understand what you mean. If was Iran that had a prision like Guantanamo? Or the CIA flights? Or the prision ships? Have you all seen a movie called "Team America".
wASN'T THAT THE GUY WHO SAID NUCLEAR WAS FOR CIVILIAN PURPOSES ONLY? Ups, sorry caps :)
I wonder what would he say if Israel would test a new nuclear missil.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Sure... first you clean your own act before blaming other...
Hey hey hey Angel. Haven't you ever heard of the phrase do as I say not as I do? That's enough out of you. (Just kidding)
"I don't think so. Homey don't play dat."
Homey Da Clown
If USA have them, why the others cant´have them.
both parties ve to get their fault clear right now . otherwise a big disaster ....
Dont see one side of the coin .. it has two faces
it is always disturbing when nuclear missiles are being tested, it always leads to unrest and leaves people guessing where and when would they do it for real.
Some people choose there own fate and complain when it befalls them.
Hmmmm, Ahmenijad, the guy that doesn't belive in the Holocaust, seams he truelly wants a war, just hope no one comes crying about the big bad bullit that wipped him out from the face of the earth.
It's a peatty that there are guys like this one and Bush in a time that must be of change.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ