Iran says 32 US bases in firing line
Monday, 14 Jul 2008 13:08
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the world has only 'glimpsed' Iran's military capabilities
Iran In Focus
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A highly-placed official in the Tehran government says
Israel and at least 32 US bases in the region would be targeted in the event of war with
Iran.
An aide to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told reporters that if even one bullet is fired at Iran, the country would not hesitate to "strike at the heart of Israel" and dozens of US military facilities in the Gulf.
Mojtaba Zolnoor said the competency and ability of Iran's armed forces have reached an advanced level as evidenced by recent military exercises that included multiple missile test launches.
Iran has repeatedly said it poses no threat to any country in the
Middle East, but would deliver a crushing response if attacked.
Defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar reassured the international community that Iran's military will only be used to "safeguard regional peace and stability."
He said international sanctions will not weaken the resolve of the country's military and last week's manoeuvres were a clear demonstration of Iran's ability to maintain self sufficiency.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, said the world has only 'glimpsed' of Iran's military capabilities.
During a cabinet meeting over the weekend, the president said Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) would reveal more of its advanced military hardware "if necessary."
Last week's exercises sent jitters through the oil markets, with the price of a barrel rising to a new record of $147 (£74).
Analysts predict virtually uncontrollable hikes in the price of oil if hostilities break out with Iran.
Tehran has warned it would close the strategic Straits of Hormuz and cut off its own oil exports of if attacked. According to some industry experts, this could effectively close the tap on up to 70 per cent of the world's oil supply indefinitely.