US jets 'flying over Iran to spot potential targets'

[RockStar]

US jets 'flying over Iran to spot potential targets'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0%2C12858%2C1401310%2C00.html
Julian Borger in Washington
Saturday January 29, 2005
The Guardian

The US is increasing the pressure on Iran by sending military planes into its airspace to test the country's defences and spot potential targets, according to an intelligence source in Washington.

The overflights have been reported in the Iranian press and the head of Iran's air force, Brigadier General Karim Qavami, declared recently that he had ordered his anti-aircraft batteries to shoot down any intruders, but there have been no reports of any Iranian missiles being launched.

"The idea is to get the Iranians to turn on their radar, to get an assessment of their air defences," an intelligence source in Washington said. He said the flights were part of the Pentagon's contingency planning for a possible attack on sites linked to Iran's suspected nuclear weapons programme.

"It make sense to get a look at their air defences, and it makes the mullahs nervous during the EU negotiations ," said John Pike, the head of GlobalSecurity.org, an independent military research group.

The flights come after reports of American special forces incursions into Iran. However, former US intelligence officials have said they believe the incursions are being carried out by Iranian rebels drawn from the anti-Tehran rebel group, the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, under US supervision.

The US military denied the reports. "We're not flying over frigging Iran," an official said, suggesting Tehran was making up the incidents to attract international sympathy.

[imenja]

1. How could people vote for this warmonger?!

This is terrifying. Will it ever stop? What comes after Iran: Syria? How can our nation survive this military expansionism that threatens to bankrupt us financially and compromises so seriously our national security? We as Americans are far less safe today than were were before the Iraq war. I am fearful for the future of our country.

[Stirk]

2. And maybe even to goad them into making the first move.

[HawkerHurricane]

5. A first move like...

shooting down a armed warplane violating thier airspace...
capturing the pilot/crew of said plane and imprisoning them...
refusing to turn over said pilot/crew without reassurances that it won't happen again...

[Stirk]

6. Exactly- and these days, you wouldn't even have to be fired upon.

Just have the guy bail out and *say* he was shot down. Our ass-licking press wouldn't question it for a second.

Hell, why even bother with the plane at all?

[alexisfree]

3. here we go....

lets aggravate Iran first! .:wtf:

[alexisfree]

4. the madness of King George...

:scared:

[JackD76]

7. Hmmm

If bush ever wanted to destroy the world this is his chance. I can't see how bush is going to "protect our freedoms" when the world ends.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi JackD76!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Solon]

9. I thought overflights by armed planes...

Was an act of war without the hosts countries permission? Can someone clarify that for me. I thought it was similar to blockades, which I know are an act of war. Therefore if Iran shoots one of the planes down, it would be self defense, would it not?

[geomon666]

10. The real question is...

When will North Korea fly its war planes over the US to 'test our air defenses'? I mean there are precedents now.