Iran launches new missile war games
Pastor Dale Morgan
Wednesday February 7, 3:10 PM
*Iran launches new missile war games*
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard has launched a new two-day air and
naval war game aimed at testing missile defenses at a time of rising
tension with the West, state television reported.
It said missile units of the Revolutionary Guards navy and air force
would be carrying out the exercises in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
The naval exercise named Raad (Thunder) was aimed at "enhancing the
defensive capabilities" and preserving the readiness of the naval
force's missile unit, the IRNA agency reported.
The goal of the air force war game named Saegheh (Thunderbolt) was also
to "consolidate the defensive and operational capabilities" of the
missile unit, it added.
Equipment used to monitor incoming enemy missiles would be tested and
missiles would also be test-fired, the agency said, without giving the
names of the weapons.
Iran's leaders have repeatedly said its armed forces are ready for any
eventuality in the current standoff with the West over its nuclear
programme.
Although the United States has said it wants the standoff solved through
diplomacy, Washington has never ruled out military action to thwart
Iran's atomic drive.
The United States accuses Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, a charge
vehemently denied by Tehran which insists its atomic programme is
peaceful in nature.