U.S. jets in largest Iran air force parade: Military in the 'heart of the nation'
NICOSIA — Iran, in a show of force, has staged its largest ever
combat air parade.
Officials said the Iranian Air Force deployed 140 aircraft for
Army Day, which took place on Thursday. They said the aircraft
included the Russian-origin MiG-29, Su-24 and U.S.-origin platforms.
"The military is in the heart of the Iranian nation," Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
Iran also displayed U.S.-origin aircraft procured in the 1970. They
included the F-14 fighter-jet and the Boeing 707 and 747.
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"The air parade seeks to reveal the power of the Iranian armed forces to
defend their homeland," Iranian Air Force commander Gen. Mohammed Alavi
said.
The air force chief said Iran would expand its military capabilities in
an effort to "maintain security in the region." He did not elaborate.
On the eve of the parade, Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei urged the
military to maintain what he termed the "highest level of combat
preparedness."
In an address to senior commanders on Wednesday, Khamenei
said Iran's military capabilities were high and Teheran has achieved weapons
self-sufficiency in many areas.
