Iran starts 'biggest' air defense war games

TEHRAN. November 18. KAZINFORM Iran began what it said was its biggest ever air defense drill on Tuesday to test its ability to deter air strikes, which the United States and Israel have not ruled out to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

The website of Iran's English-language Press TV said the five-day war games were being held near nuclear facilities and included tests of long-range missiles.

On Sunday, a senior commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards said land forces had carried out military drills near Iran's nuclear facilities "exactly like real combat".

Western countries suspect Iran's atomic work is a cover for a nuclear weapons programme. Tehran denies this, saying it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity.

Israel, which says a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to its existence, and its ally the United States have refused to rule out pre-emptive strikes against Iran, but US Defense Secretary Robert Gates argued strongly against the military option on Tuesday; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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