Iran unveils long-range drone: State TV
The reconnaissance drone named Shahed 129 has a range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) and is capable of carrying bombs and missiles, state television said. It gave no further details. Israel has threatened action against Iran's nuclear sites, raising speculation about a possible military strike ahead of the US presidential election in November.
Israel has criticised US President Barack Obama's position that international sanctions on Iran and diplomacy should be given more time to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, saying its atomic activity is peaceful, aimed at generating electricity.
The head of the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace arm Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted on Sunday as saying Iran might launch a pre-emptive strike on Israel if it was sure the Jewish state was about to attack.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking in New York on Monday, said Israel had no roots in the Middle East and would be "eliminated" Iran has in recent days announced defence and engineering developments, including a domestically made anti-aircraft system, but some analysts are sceptical as to the reliability of the reports.
Israel bombed an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and launched a similar strike against Syria in 2007. Israel is believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, although it refuses to disclose any capability.
COMMENTS (12)
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@John B: So you want to say Afghan Jehadi will help US (who is their enemy too) against Iran ??? Strange analysis. BTW, they don't dare to enter Iran with ill intentions.
Its the message only to the arch rival Israel that doing any adventurism like Iraq and Syria in Iran would not be easier one ....Persia is a hard nut to crack.
@cautious
you are weak in history boy! Iran has fought a lengthy 10 year war with iraq (american and israeli supported Saddam) and still standing tall in the face of international tyranny and dictatorship! how do you say that?
Feeka believes Iran is working on a greater plan that worries the US congress and Israel. Feeka thinks Shia Sunni are brothers in Islam and defeating enemies of Islam within us will bring them closer.
Neither Israel nor Iran has the capability to sustain a prolonged long distance conventional war - many suggest Iran would run out of long distance missiles within a week and few believe their air force has the capability of defeating Israels. Everyone knows that Iran's response to an attack will be an attempt to close the strait which may require an attack on American warships - not something I would recommend.
It was the same misjudgment that ended in the disintegration of ottoman empire. In Iran's case, she has to contend with two blocks-US block and Sunni block. UAE and Suadi are not happy with Iran meddling in their affair and US and Israel are not happy either.
War in Iran means every afghan jihadi will be in Iran and what is happening in Syria will be replicated in Iran.
The obvious question for PAK is whom will she stand with.
All said, Iran does not have guts, means or the time to provoke a war. She will lose everything she achieved after the revolution, perhaps the only true Islamic republic state in the region.
@waqas: Will this ever be acceptable to our all weather friends Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries?
Brave achievement for Muslims especially hold to threaten
Well done. Nuclear Iran is a dream to come true.
To Iran: drones does not mean "Dragon flies".
I luv u iran... Waiting for that day when u be a nuclear power... Slam israel