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Iran navy says it will launch
Iran-built destroyer
Reuters
Wednesday April 18, 2007
Iran's navy plans to launch the first Iranian-built destroyer
soon, the official IRNA news agency quoted a naval commander as
saying on Tuesday.
The announcement in the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas comes at a time
of growing tension between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear
programme, which Washington and others suspect is a cover for making
atom bombs. Tehran denies the charge.
"Soon the first Iranian-made destroyer will be launched ...
and will surprise the world's military community with its facilities,
equipment, capabilities and technology," commander Darioush
Ebrahimnejad told a news conference.
He called it one of the most modern ships of its kind in the world,
but did not give details or say when it would be officially unveiled.
Destroyers are fast warships with guns and torpedoes used to protect
other ships.
Last month, state television said Iran's navy had held more than
a week of war games in the Gulf using tactical submarines and small
vessels carrying missile launchers.
The exercises were the latest in a series of manoeuvres staged
by Iran's military in the Gulf, where the United States has deployed
two aircraft carriers in recent months, a move widely seen as a
warning to Tehran over its nuclear ambitions.
Although Iran may not have the technology to match that of U.S.
forces, experts say it could still cause trouble for shipping in
the Gulf and disrupt flows of crude in the waterway, through which
40 percent of the world's traded oil is shipped.
Washington has said it wants a diplomatic solution to the nuclear
row but has not ruled out using of force if that fails. Iran, which
insists its atomic plans are peaceful, says it will target U.S.
interests in the region if it comes under attack.
INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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