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Tehran reacts to report on Israeli military exercises

Iran called Israel a “dangerous regime” yesterday after a US report that the Jewish state had carried out a large military exercise, apparently a rehearsal for a potential bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The comments by Iran’s government spokesman came a day after the UN nuclear watchdog chief said a military strike on Iran would turn the Middle East into a fireball and prompt Tehran to launch a crash course to build nuclear weapons.

Russia also warned against military threats on Friday.

The exercise “demonstrates the Islamic Republic of Iran’s view that this [Israel] is a dangerous regime and an impediment to peace and calm in the region and world,” Iranian government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said when asked about the report.

The military exercise carried out by Israel earlier this month seemed to be a test-run for any potential strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the New York Times reported, citing US officials.

In Athens, an official with the Greek air force’s central command confirmed the substance of the report, stating that it had taken part in “joint training exercises” with Israel off the Mediterranean island of Crete.

The maneuvers, codenamed “Glorious Spartan 08,” took place on May 28 and June 12, and consisted of aerial maneuvers and knowledge exchange, said the Greek source, who requested anonymity.

The goal was for more than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighter aircraft to prepare for long-range strikes and demonstrate Israel’s serious concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the New York Times reported.

On June 6 Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz warned that Iran would face attack if it pursued what he said was its nuclear weapons program.

In Tehran, senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned Israel of a “strong blow” if it attacked Iran.

“If enemies, especially Israelis and their supporters in the United States, would want to use a language of force, they should rest assured that they will receive a strong blow in the mouth,” Khatami said in his Friday prayers sermon.
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