The Middle East.
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
8.8.12
29.6.11
Indian print media widely cover Iran’s military exercises
Indian print media widely cover Iran’s military exercises
“Iran on Monday unveiled underground silos that can carry missiles capable of hitting Israel and US bases in the Persian Gulf as it kicked off 10 days of war games, the country’s latest show of military force amid a standoff with the West over its nuclear program,” India’s leading English daily said.
“The Times of India” wrote under the title 'Our missiles can reach US bases: Iran'.
The daily further wrote that State TV broadcast footage of deep underground silos claiming that medium and long-range missiles stored in them are ready to launch in case of an attack on Iran. Silos are viewed as a strategic asset for Iran in the event of a US or Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities.
“The silos “function as a swift-reaction unit”. Missiles, which are permanently in the vertical position, are ready to hit the pre-determined targets,” English daily wrote quoting Col. Asghar Qelichkhani, a spokesman for the military.
Another leading English daily “The Asia Age” quoting IRNA wrote: “Iran’s Revolutionary Guards tested 14 missiles on Tuesday, the second day of war games intended as a show of strength towards the Islamic Republic’s enemies Israel and the United States. The Iranian made surface-to-surface missiles, with a maximum range of 2000 km, were fired simultaneously at a single target, it said.
The daily further wrote that Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace unit, emphasized Iran’s preparedness to strike Israel and US interests in the event of any attack on the Islamic Republic.
The range of Iran’s missiles has been designed based on American bases in the region as well as the Zionist regime,” Asian Age wrote quoting Hajizadeh.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday fired nine Zelzal missiles, two Shahab-1, two Shahab 2s and one upgraded Shahab-2 missile, outside the city of Qom, a city of Iran.
http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30454674&SRCH=1
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13.6.09
Iranians fired up over election
Iranians fired up over election
By Jon Leyne
BBC News, Tehran
It has become an extraordinary day, at the end of what has been an extraordinary election campaign.
As soon as polls opened in Iran, it became clear that the enthusiasm of the last few days has been translated into what is likely to be a huge turnout.
There were queues snaking round the block from many polling stations.
The crowds gathered outside, in segregated lines of men and women. Even as they waited to vote, they continued the spontaneous debate that has been sweeping Iran in the last week.
At one polling station I visited, some voters came up to me, nervous that the government might be trying to rig the election.
They were worried that a bus being used as a mobile polling station was not as well monitored as the main polling centre.
Other voters say the system under which a reference number has to be written by the candidates' name on the ballot paper is confusing.
Good humour
Much of the mobile phone text message system seems not to be working, a system the opposition had been hoping to use to send back reports from their monitors at polling stations and election counts.
The opposition has complained to the government.
Rumours are sweeping Tehran that some satellite TV stations may have been blocked.
But for the most part election day has continued the good humour of recent days.
One supporter of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a woman in the long black religious chador, made a point of shaking hands with another woman wearing the green colours of the opposition contender, Mir-Hossein Mousavi.
Many of the polling stations are in mosques or other religious buildings.
At the Hosseiniyat Ershad in north Tehran, the number of women, particularly young women, queuing to vote is most striking.
The young voters who have been turning out in force for Mr Mousavi say they want more personal freedom, more opportunities and better relations with the West.
Extended voting
Supporters of Mr Ahmadinejad have praised him for pushing forward the nuclear programme, and say he has earned more respect for Iran internationally.
By mid-morning, the interior ministry announced that already five million people had voted. Voting was extended by two hours, and may be extended longer.
Such a high turnout will make Iranians more confident of the outcome.
They will remember the election in 1997, in which President Khatami defeated a candidate heavily favoured by the establishment.
His victory was so overwhelming it soon became clear that it could not be overturned, even if there had been those trying to do so.
Results are expected to begin coming in during the night. Almost every Iranian you meet is eager for any idea about what is going to happen. Source
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By Jon Leyne
BBC News, Tehran
It has become an extraordinary day, at the end of what has been an extraordinary election campaign.
As soon as polls opened in Iran, it became clear that the enthusiasm of the last few days has been translated into what is likely to be a huge turnout.
There were queues snaking round the block from many polling stations.
The crowds gathered outside, in segregated lines of men and women. Even as they waited to vote, they continued the spontaneous debate that has been sweeping Iran in the last week.
At one polling station I visited, some voters came up to me, nervous that the government might be trying to rig the election.
They were worried that a bus being used as a mobile polling station was not as well monitored as the main polling centre.
Other voters say the system under which a reference number has to be written by the candidates' name on the ballot paper is confusing.
Good humour
Much of the mobile phone text message system seems not to be working, a system the opposition had been hoping to use to send back reports from their monitors at polling stations and election counts.
The opposition has complained to the government.
Rumours are sweeping Tehran that some satellite TV stations may have been blocked.
But for the most part election day has continued the good humour of recent days.
One supporter of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a woman in the long black religious chador, made a point of shaking hands with another woman wearing the green colours of the opposition contender, Mir-Hossein Mousavi.
Many of the polling stations are in mosques or other religious buildings.
At the Hosseiniyat Ershad in north Tehran, the number of women, particularly young women, queuing to vote is most striking.
The young voters who have been turning out in force for Mr Mousavi say they want more personal freedom, more opportunities and better relations with the West.
Extended voting
Supporters of Mr Ahmadinejad have praised him for pushing forward the nuclear programme, and say he has earned more respect for Iran internationally.
By mid-morning, the interior ministry announced that already five million people had voted. Voting was extended by two hours, and may be extended longer.
Such a high turnout will make Iranians more confident of the outcome.
They will remember the election in 1997, in which President Khatami defeated a candidate heavily favoured by the establishment.
His victory was so overwhelming it soon became clear that it could not be overturned, even if there had been those trying to do so.
Results are expected to begin coming in during the night. Almost every Iranian you meet is eager for any idea about what is going to happen. Source
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4.4.09
Kenya: Iran signs deal to supply Kenya with crude oil
Nairobi, (The Standard):
Iran will supply four million metric tonnes of crude annually, as part of a range of deals signed last week, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreed supply from Iran, the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter, is roughly equivalent to 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) by Reuters calculations.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited East Africa’s biggest economy last week, where he and his Kenyan counterpart, Mwai Kibaki, also signed a grant and loan agreement totalling 800 million shillings ($10 million), among others.
Not alarmed
Kenya, like other African countries, is increasingly turning east and strengthening trade and investment links with countries such as China and India.
Commercial dealings with Iran have not been welcomed by the US, which is embroiled in a row with the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear programme.
But US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger was quoted by local media last week as saying his country was not alarmed by the Iranian leader’s visit, as the two countries were sovereign and free to make bilateral deals.
"Iran is interested in getting its companies to construct our roads. They would also like to sell us fertilisers and pharmaceutical products," said Mr Kiboi Waituru, the head of Public Affairs at Kenya’s Foreign Ministry.
Energy sector
"They view Kenya as a gateway into Africa, a launch pad to get into east Africa," Waituru told Reuters.
Iran also agreed to help construct dams in the East African nation and buy more Kenyan tea.
Iran is under US and United Nations sanctions for nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs, a charge Tehran denies, and it has increasingly turned to Asia for partners in its energy sector.
In a change of policy from the Bush administration, US President Barack Obama has said he would be open to engaging with Iran on a range of issues, from its nuclear ambitions to how it could help in Afghanistan.
But the new US administration has also threatened to increase pressure on Iran, via more sanctions, if Tehran does not co-operate and give up its sensitive nuclear work.
Source
Iran will supply four million metric tonnes of crude annually, as part of a range of deals signed last week, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreed supply from Iran, the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter, is roughly equivalent to 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) by Reuters calculations.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited East Africa’s biggest economy last week, where he and his Kenyan counterpart, Mwai Kibaki, also signed a grant and loan agreement totalling 800 million shillings ($10 million), among others.
Not alarmed
Kenya, like other African countries, is increasingly turning east and strengthening trade and investment links with countries such as China and India.
Commercial dealings with Iran have not been welcomed by the US, which is embroiled in a row with the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear programme.
But US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger was quoted by local media last week as saying his country was not alarmed by the Iranian leader’s visit, as the two countries were sovereign and free to make bilateral deals.
"Iran is interested in getting its companies to construct our roads. They would also like to sell us fertilisers and pharmaceutical products," said Mr Kiboi Waituru, the head of Public Affairs at Kenya’s Foreign Ministry.
Energy sector
"They view Kenya as a gateway into Africa, a launch pad to get into east Africa," Waituru told Reuters.
Iran also agreed to help construct dams in the East African nation and buy more Kenyan tea.
Iran is under US and United Nations sanctions for nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs, a charge Tehran denies, and it has increasingly turned to Asia for partners in its energy sector.
In a change of policy from the Bush administration, US President Barack Obama has said he would be open to engaging with Iran on a range of issues, from its nuclear ambitions to how it could help in Afghanistan.
But the new US administration has also threatened to increase pressure on Iran, via more sanctions, if Tehran does not co-operate and give up its sensitive nuclear work.
Source
6.3.09
Clinton Accuses Iran of Intimidating
Iran wants to "intimidate as far as they think their voice can reach."
Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Secretary of State was harsh with Irans positions on Wednesday, accusing its hardline leaders of making divisions in the Arab world, as well that Iran is promoting terrorism and as always posing threats to Israel
Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Secretary of State was harsh with Irans positions on Wednesday, accusing its hardline leaders of making divisions in the Arab world, as well that Iran is promoting terrorism and as always posing threats to Israel
5.3.09
Iran: Israeli nuclear sites within missile range
Iran's military chief warned Israel Wednesday that its nuclear facilities are within range of Iranian missiles, the latest message from Tehran that it will strike back if attacked.
Israel, which is itself believed to possess atomic arsenal, has warned that it could attack Iran if it does not abandon its nuclear program, which Israel and the U.S. suspect is a cover for weapons production. Israel's prime minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, is among those taking a tough line and considered likely to keep open the option of a military strike.
Revolutionary Guards commander Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said Iran now has a mighty military force capable of deterring any U.S. or Israeli attack.
"All nuclear facilities in various parts of the lands under occupation of the Zionist regime are within the range of Iran's missiles," the official IRNA news agency quoted Jafari as saying.
A day earlier, his deputy said Iran had a contingency plan for hitting back hard and causing many casualties.
Iran's Shahab-3 missiles have a range of up to 1,250 miles, putting Israel within striking distance. Iran has said it has also increased the range of its warplanes, allowing them to fly as far as Israel and back without refueling.
Tehran denies any aim to make nuclear weapons and says its atomic program is only for generating power and other peaceful purposes.
Iran has worked hard to increase the accuracy of its missiles. In November, it successfully test-fired the Sajjil, a solid fuel high-speed missile with a range 1,250 miles. Solid fuel is considered a significant breakthrough because it increases accuracy.
Jafari's deputy, Mohammad Hejazi, told the semi-official Fars news agency Tuesday that Iran has drawn up a contingency plan to retaliate against any Israeli attack and "impose high casualties in a short period of time."
"The enemy refrains from taking military action because it has estimated the damages it will sustain in a war against Iran," Fars quoted Hejazi as saying. "Having analyzed Iran's defense capabilities, they have reached the conclusion that military confrontation with Iran is tantamount to an endless quagmire."
AntiWar.com
Israel, which is itself believed to possess atomic arsenal, has warned that it could attack Iran if it does not abandon its nuclear program, which Israel and the U.S. suspect is a cover for weapons production. Israel's prime minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, is among those taking a tough line and considered likely to keep open the option of a military strike.
Revolutionary Guards commander Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said Iran now has a mighty military force capable of deterring any U.S. or Israeli attack.
"All nuclear facilities in various parts of the lands under occupation of the Zionist regime are within the range of Iran's missiles," the official IRNA news agency quoted Jafari as saying.
A day earlier, his deputy said Iran had a contingency plan for hitting back hard and causing many casualties.
Iran's Shahab-3 missiles have a range of up to 1,250 miles, putting Israel within striking distance. Iran has said it has also increased the range of its warplanes, allowing them to fly as far as Israel and back without refueling.
Tehran denies any aim to make nuclear weapons and says its atomic program is only for generating power and other peaceful purposes.
Iran has worked hard to increase the accuracy of its missiles. In November, it successfully test-fired the Sajjil, a solid fuel high-speed missile with a range 1,250 miles. Solid fuel is considered a significant breakthrough because it increases accuracy.
Jafari's deputy, Mohammad Hejazi, told the semi-official Fars news agency Tuesday that Iran has drawn up a contingency plan to retaliate against any Israeli attack and "impose high casualties in a short period of time."
"The enemy refrains from taking military action because it has estimated the damages it will sustain in a war against Iran," Fars quoted Hejazi as saying. "Having analyzed Iran's defense capabilities, they have reached the conclusion that military confrontation with Iran is tantamount to an endless quagmire."
AntiWar.com
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