Manama not to Allow US to Launch Attack on Iran from Bahrain’s Soil

22 August 2010 | 17:46 Code : 8441 General category

TEHRAN (FarsNewsAgency)- Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Al Khalifa underlined on Saturday that his country will not allow Washington to use Bahrain’s soil as a launch pad for attacking other states, Iran in particular "The agreement signed between Manama and Washington is a defensive deal, and we will never agree to allow our soil to be used (as a launch pad) for attacking another territory," the Bahraini official told Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat.   "What is important for Bahrain is that no new war occurs in the region," Sheikh Khalid added.   Sheikh Khalid further added that he has ensured Iranian officials in his recent visit to Tehran that Manama is opposed to any possible military attack against Iran.   The US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters is based just across the Persian Gulf from Iran in Bahrain.   The comment by Bahraini minister came after Iranian officials underlined that in case of a military attack by the US or Israel, Tehran would not confine itself to one single battlefield and would strike back at the interests of the aggressors all across the world.   Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned the US against the grave consequences of any military aggression against Iran, stressing that Tehran’s response to such an attack will not be limited to Washington’s interests in the region.   "The Americans’ resorting to military attack is a remote possibility, but if so, Iranians’ counter-attack will not be merely regional, but covering a vaster scene," Ayatollah Khamenei said here in Tehran on Wednesday.   A senior Iranian lawmaker also cautioned of Tehran’s unlimited reaction to any US or Israeli attack on the country, saying that Iran’s response will not be confined to the region.   If military threats to Iran were materialized, the nation’s counter-attacks will spread to other regions, member of the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Karami-Raad said on Thursday.   The United States has always stressed that military action is a main option for the White House to deter Iran’s progress in the field of nuclear technology.   Iran has warned that in case of an attack by either the US or Israel, it will target 32 American bases in the Middle East and close the strategic Strait of Hormoz. Tehran has also warned that it would target Israel and its worldwide interests in case it comes under attack by the
Tel Aviv.

Salehi warns strike against Bushehr facility is int’l crime

TEHRAN (ISNA)-The Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi warned any strike against Bushehr nuclear facility is an international crime.
Salehi speaking to reporters on the sidelines of loading fuel into Bushehr nuclear facility Saturday afternoon referred to some military threats against the plant and said, “Bushehr nuclear facility is considered a power plant from now on and any attack or threat to attack the facility is an international crime.
” He also added, “Iran and Russia signed an agreement stipulating that Bushehr nuclear facility is nuclear power plant.”
Meanwhile as to lifespan of the plant, he said, “its lifespan is about 40 years which can be raised to 60 years with some changes.”
Also concerning Iran-Russia talks for supplement of radio isotopes following decrease in Tehran research reactor activities due to shortage of its fuel, he said, “based on the deal, Iran receives radio isotopes from Russia to the amount that meets its needs, and the remaining part is supplied by Tehran research reactor.”
Iran carried out fuel loading into Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday in the presence of Salehi and Chief of the Russian atomic agency (Rosatom) Sergey Kiriyenko Saturday. Russia delivered required fuel for physical launch of the reactor in late 2007 which had been kept in a storage site before it was transferred to the plant

Ahmadinejad: Our relations with Qatar deep-rooted, with Saudis changing due to foreign intervention

(Tabnak)President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has spoken to the Editors-in-Chief of The Peninsula and Al Sharq, two Qatar’s leading English newspapers, on a wide range of issues in an interview in Tehran, published in The Peninsula on Saturday.

On Iran-Qatar relations, the Iranian president said “Our relations are deep-rooted and are based on brotherhood, especially those with the Emir (Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani). We always consult on key issues and benefit from his advice.” He also praised Qatar for its “initiative to solve the Lebanese conflict.”

“Qatar played a key role,” Ahmadinejad continued, “in bringing about peace and brotherhood in the Persian Gulf region and its efforts continue. This will help reduce foreign intervention.”

Asked to comment on the latest sanctions imposed by the US and European Union on Iran, he said “There is a rat race among countries for marketing their commodities. Then what is the meaning of the boycott? They are boycotting themselves.”

He also voiced conviction that the latest sanctions do not have an impact on Tehran’s relations with the Arab countries and the Persian Gulf states. “We are expanding our brotherly relations,” he said.

On Iran’s policy towards Iraq, the Iranian president said “Iraq is our brother and neighbour. Iraq has a historical relationship with Iran…. Iraq is united, strong and advanced. Iraq is a friend of the regional states and cooperating with them. We are in touch with all groups in Iraq and we have friendly relations with Iraq. We think Iraqis can administer their issues on their own.”

When asked to comment on possible emergence of instability in Iraq after the withdrawal of American troops, he said “We believe the presence of American forces has created insecurity.” Ahmadinejad also explained that Shias and Sunnis have been living in Iraq for many years. “When the Americans and British interfered in Iraq, the Sunni-Shia rift emerged. Iraq will not be stabilized as long as they are there,” he noted.

“I think Iraqi people will overcome this situation and they will be able to rule themselves. We are not worried about the future of Iraq,” he underlined.

On the allegations that Iran is running Iraq now, he said “Instead of accepting their weakness, they have started putting the blame on others.” The president noted that the prime target of the Americans was not Saddam but oil. “The Iraqi people will not allow the oil to fall into the hands of the Americans,” he added.

Asked if Iran would help the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said “we are ready to tell them what they have to do. Respect the Afghani people and let the Afghan government do its work....” More