Iran sends missile test warning
I'm not so sure that this is entirely good news. If Israel had cause for concern before, God alone knows what plans they are now making! Iran sends missile -*test*-('") warning Iran has -*test*-('")-fired what it called a new version of the Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of reaching its main regional enemy Israel, state media say. The missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was one of nine launched from a remote desert site. Iran has -*test*-('")ed the Shahab-3 before, but the la-*test*-('") launch comes amid rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear programme. The US denounced the -*test*-('") and called on Iran to abandon its missile programme. Iran should "refrain from further missile -*test*-('")s if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. 'Aggressive language' The aim of the early morning launch of the "upgraded" Shahab-3 missile was to demonstrate Iran's "determination and power to the enemies who have used aggressive language during recent weeks", state media reported. "We are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," said the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brigadier General Hoseyn Salami. Two other types of missile with shorter ranges were also fired as part of the Great Prophet III war games being staged by the Guards. "Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy," Gen Salami added. "The enemy must not repeat its mistakes. The enemy targets are under surveillance." The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says this is a clear warning from Iran. It is a response to a recent military exercise by Israel, which was seen as a rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, he says. On Monday, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said it would respond to any military attack by hitting the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Other commanders have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large part of the world's oil flows, and to target the US and its allies around the world if Iran comes under attack. However, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad later insisted his country had no intention to attack Israel. He also said Iran did not fear an attack by the US or Israel over its nuclear activities, dismissing the possibility as a "funny joke". Mr Ahmadinejad said the economic, political and military situation would dissuade US President George W Bush from any such move. "I assure you that there won't be any war in the future," he said during a visit to Malaysia on Tuesday. New sanctions The missile -*test*-('") came shortly after the US Treasury announced new financial sanctions on Iranian officials it suspected of involvement in the country's nuclear programme. Among those targeted were a senior scientist at the defence ministry, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, and three companies believed to be related to the arms industry. It came as G8 leaders called for Iran to halt uranium enrichment. Western leaders have been attempting to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium, which it has continued despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN and the European Union. Iran denies Western assertions that it is developing nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The US also signed on Tuesday an agreement with the Czech Republic to build a radar station near Prague as part of a defence shield to shoot down incoming missiles from what Washington calls "rogue states" such as Iran. The move drew immediate criticism from Russia, which warned that it would proceed with its own military deployments.

They do have a choice. They could simply sit back and allow Iran to join the nuclear club...

Yers... that's the sort of choice that Hitler might have offered. Think they might just choose otherwise!

Do you really think that an attack is likely now? ...better lay in a few extra provisions at home then. If it happens, things could get very bad, very quickly. :( For a long time now I've seen this as virtually inevitable as neither side is prepared to compromise but it's not something that I've be looking forward to.

I would say it was far more likely than it was last month. Having said that, of course, it is highly unlikely that Israel wasn't aware of the missile programme. Only the 'religion of peace' could name a long range nuclear-capable rocket 'Great Prophet'! The equivalent would be America calling an ICBM something like 'The Jesus Bomb'! Doesn't quite go somehow, does it?

Very true. Indicative of a certain mentality. If the SHTF, it is likely to kick off all over Europe. The Iranians have always boasted about the number of 'sleeper cells' that they already have in place. A fuel blockade and a couple of serious atrocities will ensure that Muslims (unlikely to side with the USA or Israel) would be about as welcome in Europe as turds in a swimming pool... And that's putting it mildly.

welcome in Europe as turds in a swimming pool... talking of which, I watched Caddyshack again last week, still one of the funniest moments on film! Having said that, about muslims being welcome... do you really think that any government in Europe would have the guts to round up muslims as a danger to the security of the country? Somehow I think that they would more likely to be afforded 'special protection' from our security forces... especially the self-appointed 'community leaders' who, no doubt would be given advance warning and detail of any imminent strikes against Iran!

They wouldn't. But then again, few of the people in power have much knowledge of life on the streets, life in the real world. In a desperate situation I believe that we'd inevitably witness more serious breakdowns of law and order, as we saw in Italy in June this year when a mob burnt out a gypsy camp in Naples. It's difficult for the security forces of any country to be everywhere at once. Even communist China has suffered from riots recently when 30,000 people rioted over official corruption and cover-ups. It's best if governments rule with some sort of consensus. It's very difficult to impose things on people who don't agree with what you're trying to achieve. In the case of Muslims, in a serious confrontation with Iran, it would be foolish not to treat them as 5th columnists. During WWII, for example, Germans, Austrians and Italians living in this country were interned for our (and their) safety. That's what a war is like. If you are at war then the only way to fight it is to go all out. Half-hearted measures will get you into a lot of trouble. War with Iran will have serious consequences for Muslims living in the UK.

Some serious sabre-rattling going on here (from both sides). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/10/iran.israelandthepalestinians

The US confirmed yesterday that it would continue to pursue a diplomatic solution to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear programme - which it fears is geared towards the production of weapons – but would not rule out a military option. I just can't see Iran backing down.

The problem is though Percy that internment is a dirty word since NI, they wouldn't have the guts to do that. Besides, 'muslim' isn't on a passport, muslims can look like anyone if they shave of their beards and ditch the pyjamas and headscarves. Shutting down mosques would have to be the first act of any responsible government, the second should be to offer free flights out of the country to any that want to leave, but only to muslim countries. Rounding them up would be virtually impossible. Besides, what would you do with 2 million of them? Ship them all into Bradford and put a wall around it?

A large and acknowledged largely non-integrated minority who might have considerable sympathy with their co-religionists, the Iranians? Any responsible government would HAVE to have some sort of plan in place for this eventuality. The consequences of NOT doing anything except perhaps passing a few new 'religious hatred' laws would be serious indeed.

Of course it would be serious, but I doubt that there is any plan in place. When we went to war with Iraq, did the government issue any control orders for Iraqis? No! Did they allow a whole load of Iraqis to come here? Yes! Do you seriously expect them to do ANYTHING AT ALL? Not in a month of Sundays!

In spite of the fact that Nu Labour have proved themselves to be a bunch of incompetents when it comes to doing anything outside of their core interests, yes, I would expect the British government to have a plan to cover this eventuality. That's what our Civil Service is for. The plan should exist and it would be in place for whatever government happened to be in power at the time. It must exist... surely... :shock:

The plan should exist... It must exist... surely... You don't sound too confident... and nor should you. Assumptions make an...