Iran Press TV – 2008-04-02 22:51:46
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=49572§ionid=351020104
The Kingdom ‘Braces for Nuclear War’
Iran Press TV
(March 30, 2008) — Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to counter any ‘radioactive hazards’ which may result from a US strike on Iran’s nuclear plants.
Popular government-guided Saudi newspaper Okaz recently reported that the Saudi Shura Council approved of nuclear fallout preparation plans only a day after US Vice President Dick Cheney met with the Kingdom’s high-ranking officials, including King Abdullah.
As a result of the Shura ruling, the Saudi government will start the implementation of ‘national plans to deal with any sudden nuclear and radioactive hazards that may affect the Kingdom following expert warnings of possible attacks on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactors’.
As the details of Cheney’s recent discussions with his Arab allies remain unclear, pundits have begun to question the timing of the drastic measure by the Shura.
Analysts claim the Bush administration had long rattled sabers with Iran over its nuclear program and is now informing its Arab allies of a potential war, in turn, allowing them to take precautionary measures.
With the sudden resignation of Admiral William Fallon, a high-ranking US military official who was a fierce critic of White House war rhetoric against Iran, and reports of the recent deployment of a US nuclear submarine in the Persian Gulf; there is speculation that Washington is moving forward with yet another war plan in the oil-rich Middle East.
Cheney Vows to Counter ‘Iran Threat’
Iran Press TV
(March 23, 2008) — President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney US Vice President Dick Cheney [have] promised that the White House would do its utmost to counter Iran’s ‘nuclear threat against Israel’.
“Iran’s only intentions of developing ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads are to destroy Israel and threaten the entire world,” claimed Israeli president Shimon Peres in a meeting with Cheney on Sunday.
Peres did not provide any information on what he meant by Iran’s ‘nuclear warheads’. He also demanded that the US administration bring peace to Israel before President George W. Bush leaves office.
Cheney, however, said Washington was not ignoring Iran’s ballistic missile developments and would do everything in its power to deal with what they both referred to as ‘the Iranian threat’, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Cheney later met with Israeli opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu, who also encouraged the 67-year-old vice president to take action against Iran, warning that all options must remain on the table.
US ‘Deploys Nuclear Sub to Persian Gulf’
Iran Press TV
(March 23, 2008) — An American nuclear submarine, the USS Montpelier [See information below], crossed the Suez Canal in February to join the US fleet stationed in the Persian Gulf, Egyptian sources say.
Egyptian officials reported that the nuclear submarine crossed the canal along with a destroyer on Friday and Egyptian forces were put on high alert when the navy convoy was passing through the canal.
An American destroyer recently left the Persian Gulf, heading towards the Mediterranean Sea; earlier Thursday, a US Navy rescue ship crossed the canal to enter the Red Sea.
The deployment comes as recent reports allege that US Vice President Dick Cheney is seeking to rally the support of Middle Eastern states for launching an attack on Iran.
This is while US officials deny that Cheney’s Mideast tour is linked to a possible military attack on Iran.
According to the latest reports, in recent months a major part of the US Navy has been deployed in and around the Persian Gulf.
The fleet is armed with nuclear weapons and cruise missiles and carries hundreds of aircraft and rapid reaction forces.
Olmert: ‘We Still Opt for Iran Attack’
Iran Press TV
(March 26, 2008) — Israel’s prime minister Ehud Olmert says the Zionist regime has not changed its position on a possible military attack against Tehran.
Olmert claimed that Israel is absolutely certain that Iran is attempting to ‘achieve a non-conventional capacity’, calling for ‘concerted world action’ to prevent Tehran from attaining ‘nuclear weaponry’, AP reported.
“World leaders have said every option that can be of consequence on this issue should be considered, and I agree with this,” said the Israeli official, referring to a potential military operation against Tehran.
The Zionist regime considers Tehran as a serious threat after alleged statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that ‘Israel should be wiped off the map’.
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly stated that Ahmadinejad’s remarks were grossly mistranslated and taken out of context and that weapons of mass destruction have no place in its defensive doctrine.
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The USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765)
Navy Buddies.com
The USS Montpelier is the 15th improved submarine in the Los Angeles-class of fast attack submarines and the 23rd ship in her class built by Newport News Shipbuilding. The Montpelier carries Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles — both are nuclear-capable.
General Characteristics: Awarded: February 6, 1987
Keel laid: May 19, 1989
Launched: August 23, 1991
Commissioned: March 13, 1993
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.
Propulsion system: one nuclear reactor
Propellers: one
Length: 360 feet (109.73 meters)
Beam: 33 feet (10 meters)
Draft: 32,15 feet (9.8 meters)
Displacement:
Surfaced: approx. 6,000 tons
Submerged: approx. 6,900 tons
Speed:
Surfaced: approx. 15 knots
Submerged: approx. 32 knots
Armament: Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles from VLS-tubes, four 533 mm torpedo Tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes, ability to lay mines
Cost: approx. $900 million
Homeport: Norfolk, VA
Crew: 13 Officers, 116 Enlisted
TOMAHAWK MISSILE
The TOMAHAWK cruise missile is a subsonic, long-range missile, designed for precise target hits. It can be launched by surface ships (DDG 51-class, DD 963-class and CG 47-class) or by submarines (like the SSN 688 class).
Because of the low-altitude flight it’s difficult to detect this missile with radar, and because of the low heat emits of the turbofan it’s hard to detect it with infrared detection systems.
These missiles were used in several operations like OP Desert Storm and OP Allied Force.
The Guidance Systems
The Tomahawk has two different guidance systems. One is the TERrain COntour Matching (TERCOM) and the other one is the Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) system. A stored map is used by TERCOM to compare with the actual terrain to determine the missile’s current position. If necessary, a course-correction is possible.
The different Blocks
BLOCK III:
These missiles are improved ones. The first operational use was in Sept. 1995, during Deliberate Force, while service enter was in March 1993. The most important improvement is the added global positioning system (GPS). Other improvements are:
– a smaller and lighter warhead
– extended range
– Time of Arrival
and improved accuracy for low contrast matching of DSMAC.
BLOCK IV:
Phase I: These version is produced by converting bunkered TASMs (Tomahawk antiship variant) or upgrading Block II missiles to Block IV missiles. These missiles shall become the Navy’s premier strike weapon.
Phase II: Possible improvements are either Brilliant Antiarmor Technology or Search ‘n’ Destroy Armor. An antiamor variant with a real-time targeting system for moving targets will use these improvements.
Tactical Tomahawk:
With a price of $575,000 each missile, these missiles shall cost half the estimated price of the Block IV variant. These cost savings are a result of eliminating many older internal systems and components. But the capabilities will be increased. An in-flight reprogramming to strike any of 15 preprogrammed alternate targets will as possible as looting over a target for some hours, or to assess the battle damage with the on-board TV-cameras. It will allow mission planning aboard cruisers, destroyers, and attack submarines for quick reaction GPS missions.
BLOCK V:
With a new production method it is possible to lower the costs of these missiles. Payload and guidance packages would be buyer-selectable.
