Comparisons

There are two unfolding stories being paralleled, one has Iran firing more of its missiles whilst the world’s media simultaneously report and compare Israel unveiling its new spy plane today.

Just how you can compare the firing of long-range missiles which are clearly being prepared to fire at Israel with that country preparing a spy plane to track these events I have no idea.

Iranian state television reported Thursday that its government rejected international criticism and it had again fired long-range missiles overnight in another round of sabre rattling designed to demonstrate that the country could defend itself against any attack by the U.S. or Israel.

The broadcast stated that the weapons have "special capabilities" and included missiles launched from Iran’s naval ships in the Persian Gulf, together with torpedoes and surface-to-surface missiles. It did not elaborate on what these special capabilities might be.

The state television showed a brief video clip in which two missiles are fired simultaneously in the darkness. This launch came within hours of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warning Iran that Washington will not back down in the face of Iran’s repeated threats against Israel.

"We are sending a message to Iran that we will defend American interests and the interests of our allies," Rice said during her visit to Georgia on Thursday, at the end of her three-day Eastern European trip.

Meanwhile Israel displayed its latest spy plane on Thursday in what that country’s defence officials said was a show of strength in response to Iranian war games and missile tests.

The aircraft's super sophisticated intelligence-gathering technology and electronic warfare systems were developed by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries and installed aboard a US-made Gulfstream G550 business jet.

The plane went on display at the Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport. The aircraft will also be shown at the Farnborough Air Show in England next week.

"It has the most sophisticated early warning and intelligence devices to date and is capable of reaching all destinations required by the air force," said Assaf Dargan, a spokesman for Israel Aerospace Industries.

He refused to elaborate, citing security considerations.

Among the missiles Iran said it tested Wednesday was a new version of the Shahab-3, which officials have said has a range of 1,250 miles and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead.

That would put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan all within striking distance.

Oil prices jumped on news of Wednesday's tests, rising $1.44 to $137.48 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The tests of the long- and medium-range missiles does not mark a big step forward in Iran's missile capability — since very similar missiles have been previously tested. It’s the timing and location, which are significant and are aimed to send a message to Israel and America.

Iran has sharply stepped up the rhetoric of retaliation if attacked. This week, a top official of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Ali Shirazi, warned Tel Aviv would be "set on fire" in any Iranian retaliation.

The missile firing that Iran has been conducting in the Hormuz strait, in which Tehran has repeated its threats to block all oil traffic in response to any U.S. or Israeli military action.

Iran has long warned it would strike back for any attack against it. But it has considerably sharpened its rhetoric since Israel's military sent warplanes over the eastern Mediterranean in June for a large military exercise that many observers have characterized as a dress rehearsal for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Gen. Hossein Salami, the Revolutionary Guards air force commander, said Iran's war games this week — code-named "Noble Prophet" — "demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language," state TV reported.

"Hundreds and maybe thousands of missiles are ready to be fired at specified targets," he said Wednesday. "A small part of our defence options was put on display for the world today. Our real reaction against enemy threats will be quicker and stronger."

The West needs to "assess Iran's might accurately," added the commander of the air force of the Revolutionary Guards. We agree, particularly since Iran has also repeatedly sworn to wipe Israel from the face of the earth.