Top > World > 2006 > September > 2006-09-08

Iran Builds Own Fighter Jet

On Wednesday, Tehran announced that an Iranian-built fighter jet had successfully participated in a recent massive military exercise which was not-so-secretly aimed at demonstrating to the West the kind of power the Islamic Republic possesses to repulse any military action against its nuclear facilities. The demonstration was significant, as Iran faces the threat of sanctions being placed by the UN Security Council due to its thumbing its nose at the world community over its nuclear program.

An Iranian army spokesman, Jawad Mahmadian, told one of the Islamic Republic`s state-run news agencies that "The aircraft specializes in close-quarters air support and was planned and built by members of the Iranian air force." He said the new plane :is similar to the American F-18, but stronger." Washington is said to be preparing a package of severe economic sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

Due to it`s government-level support of groups the United States and much of the international community have designated as Islamic terrorist groups, U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday labeled Iran as great a threat to global stability as Osama bin Laden`s Al Qaeda terrorist network. Even as Iran made the announcement and concluded its wargames, the U.S. have expressed hopes that the U.N. Security Council will back sanctions.