In the most detailed threat, Alavi said Israel could be targeted by
Iranian medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Citing threats of
an Israeli air attack, he said Iran's Russian-origin aircraft could also
retaliate against the Jewish state.
"Israel's rhetoric about air strike [on Iran] is just psychological
warfare, because this regime does not have the power to launch air strikes
on Iran," Alavi said on Wednesday. "Israel is not capable of posing a
serious threat to Iran because it does not have the actual power and
capabilities needed."
Iran was said to have produced 600 Shihab-3 ballistic missiles, with a
range of up to 2,000 kilometers. The Iranian Air Force has been overhauling
its Soviet-origin MiG-29 fighter-jets as well as the U.S.-origin F-4 and F-5
fighters.
"We are keeping various options open to respond to threats," Iranian
Defense Minister Mostafa Najar said on Wednesday. "We will make use of them
if required."
In an interview to the semi-official Far news agency, Alavi said Iran's
operational plans were genuine. But he added that Israel was unlikely to
attack Iran.
"Such a plan [by Iran] is not just a hollow threat, and we do everything
on the basis of correct and precise planning, and we have gained the needed
readiness," Alavi said. "Thus, Israel should give up its foolishness."
Alavi said Iran has deployed advanced radar throughout the country and
was capable of blocking any Israeli or U.S. air strike. He said any enemy
air fleet would lose 30 percent of its combat aircraft in an attempted
invasion of Iran.
"We have gained the required preparedness to confront different plans
and strategies, and we would not enable their fighters to launch such easy
attacks on our country as they allege," Alavi said. "A majority of our blind
[radar] points have been covered and all flying objects are under our
control. Our air defense plans are also varied, and use special tactics that
have placed us in a unique position."
Alavi said Iranian radars and sensors were operating throughout the day
and night. He said Iran was also capable of intercepting or countering
cruise missiles.
"We have gained the required preparedness to confront these [cruise]
missiles," Alavi said. "We have studied their performance and volume and
range of fire, and we have the systems required to confront them."
