Iran Exercises Focus On Defending Nuclear Sites

February 20, 2012

Iran says it has launched four days of military exercises aimed at boosting air defenses protecting nuclear sites.

A military statement said missiles, antiaircraft artillery, radars, and warplanes were being deployed for the drill, named "Sarollah" (God's Vengeance).

The statement, carried by the official news agency IRNA, said the exercises covered a large area of 190,000 square kilometers in southern Iran.

The announcement comes as officials from the UN nuclear watchdog are holding talks in Tehran on Iran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at making a nuclear bomb or weapons capability.

Iran denies the charge.

There has been increasing speculation that Israel is mulling air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran_exercises_to_defend_nuclear_sites/24490322.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.