US Says Nuclear Armed Iran Would Be 'Calamitous': Tehran Unmanned Aircraft

24 May 2009

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said Thursday that the consequences of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon would be "calamitous" and that major powers must join hands and act to prevent it.

Speaking a day after Iran test-launched a long-range ballistic missile, Mullen told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "I'm one who believes that Iran getting a nuclear weapon is calamitous for the region and for the world."

"It then, in my view, generates neighbors who feel exposed, deficient and then develop or buy the capability themselves," he continued. "The downside, potentially, is absolutely disastrous," alluding to the possibility of a nuclear arms-race in the Middle East.

He echoed the Obama administration's policy that big powers should work together to persuade Iran not to pursue a nuclear bomb and halt the proliferation of nuclear weapons generally. "Major leaders, internationally, have got to come together to arrest this growth or the long-term downside for the people in the world is really, really tragic and drastic," he said.

President Barack Obama said on Monday he hoped to begin negotiations with Tehran soon, after Iran holds elections next month. Mullen has previously expressed concern that a military strike against Iran could add further turmoil to the unstable Middle East.

Iranian Regime to Display Unmanned Aircraft on Army Day

Iran is due to display a home-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on the occasion of the Army Day on Saturday, a senior Iranian commander announced last month.

Lieutenant Commander of infantry division 30 of the Iranian Army's Ground Force General Sirous Razmgir made the remarks in the northern province of Mazandaran.

Noting that independence and self-reliance have always been two important slogans of the Iranian army forces since the Islamic Revolution, Razmgir reiterated, "Designing war through Iranian method, forming air force combat units and recently building Jamaran destroyer have been some of the Islamic Republic's army activities to attain the goals of the Islamic Republic and the Revolution."

He also referred to the building of a lighting system to facilitate work at night which is unique in the world, and added that his division has succeeded in building a calculating system to decrease the time of digital firing of shells and bullet.

Pointing out that the Iranian army has discarded 90 percent of its old communication and telecommunication systems, the Iranian General said, "The Iranian army is now equipped with a wireless system that is able to send SMS and no other country enjoys such a system."

The Iranian Army Air Force also plans to display 13 types of its operating aircrafts during military parades to be staged on the occasion the Army Day.

Military sources say that the air show, which will be the largest in Iran's history, will serve as a further demonstration of the Islamic Republic's military might.

During the parades where all units in the Iranian army are represented, the Air Force fleet will comprise 140 different aircrafts, including fighter jets, tactical and reconnaissance planes and tankers, the Iranian Air Force public relations office announced in a statement on Monday.

Aircrafts like F4, F5, F7, F14, Airborne Warning aircrafts, Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) , Azaraqsh (Lightening) , Suko 24, Mig 29, Booing 707 and 747, C130 and P3F will fly over the Iranian capital Tehran on the Arm Day.

Earlier in February Iranian Deputy Defense Minister General Ahmad Vahidi said that Iran will produce more modern military planes after its success in building 'Saeqeh' (Thunderbolt) and 'Azarakhsh' (Lightening) fighter jets.

"We have built some fighter jets, including Azarakhsh and Saeqeh, in our country that could fly and it is natural that we won't stop and will take the necessary steps for their development, " Vahidi said.

Saeqeh, a joint product of the Iranian Air Force and the Defense Ministry, went on display as part of the Iranian air force's fleet during military parades on the Army Day last year.

Vahidi also announced that Iran has produced spy planes with the flying range of 1,000 km.

EsinIslam.Com