U.S. jets in largest Iran air force parade: Military in the 'heart of the nation'
Friday, April 18, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
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.
"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.