Iran criticizes Turkey over missile defense shield

alan131210 · Oct 7, 2011

PNA-TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran criticized Turkey on Tuesday for agreeing to allow NATO to station an early warning radar in the southeast of the country that will serve as part of the alliance's missile defense system.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed the defense system was meant to protect Israel against Iranian missile attacks in the event a war breaks out with the Jewish state.

"The missile defense shield is aimed at defending the Zionist regime. They don't want to let our missiles land in the occupied territories (Israel) if one day they take action against us. That's why they put it there," Ahmadinejad said in an address to the nation on state TV late Tuesday.

Turkey agreed to host the radar in September as part of NATO's missile defense system aimed at countering ballistic missile threats from neighboring Iran. Ankara claims the shield doesn't target a specific country and had threatened to block the deal if Iran was explicitly named as a threat.

A military installation in Kurecik has been designated as the radar site, according to Turkish government officials. Kurecik in Malatya province lies some 700 kilometers (435 miles) west of the Iranian border.

In September, Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said the United States hopes to have the radar deployed there by the end of the year.

Ahmadinejad said his government has conveyed Iran's displeasure to Turkish officials.

"We told our Turkish friends that it was not a correct job (decision) they did and that it's to their detriment," he said. "Such shields can't prevent the collapse of the Zionist regime."

The deployment in Turkey, the biggest Muslim voice in NATO, signals improving ties with Washington since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Turkey also closely works with U.S. forces in NATO operations in Afghanistan and Libya, though it is not directly involved in combat.

Last month, Turkey confirmed talks with the U.S. for possible deployment of Predator drones on its soil after the U.S. leaves Iraq. The U.S. currently shares drone surveillance data with Turkey to aid its fight against Kurdish rebels who have bases in Iraq. Turkish authorities did not specify if they want armed drones or just surveillance ones.

Turkey has built close economic ties with Iran and has been at odds with the United States on its stance toward Iran's nuclear program, arguing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff instead of sanctions.

But the agreement over the radar facility comes at a time when Turkey and Iran appear to be differing on their approach toward Syria, with Turkey becoming increasingly critical of Iranian ally Syria's brutal suppression of anti-regime protests.

http://www.peyamner.com/details.aspx?l=4&id=251032

Breath · Oct 7, 2011

That is why I've been saying Israel and Turkey won't go a war. Erdoğan is a hypocrite, he will do anything to get Arab attention and symphaty, but behind the scenes and walls he will continue to cooperate with Israel in name of NATO.

alan131210 · Oct 8, 2011

and i am sure they are all aware of his tactics , it wont be very pretty for him in the end i think .

waltky · Jun 13, 2012

NATO thumbin' their nose at Moscow...

NATO, Defying Russia, Moves Forward With Missile Shield
May 21, 2012 - NATO leaders have agreed to activate a new missile defense shield in three yearsopenly defying Moscow, which claims the system is aimed at Russian targets.

The transatlantic leaders agreed Sunday to make a sophisticated system operational by 2015 in order to "provide real protection for parts of NATO Europe against ballistic missile attack," Ivo Daalder, U.S. ambassador to NATO, told reporters. Officials expect to make the system initially capable in 2015, before declaring it fully capable three years later. The envisioned system has helped contribute to increasingly icy relations between Washington and Moscow. U.S. officials say the system is designed to intercept Iranian missiles aimed at both European targets and U.S. interests in the region. Moscow believes it could instead take down Russian missiles should they be fired.

Washington has secured agreements from Poland, Romania, and Turkey to place elements of the envisioned shield on their soil. Daalder announced Spain also has agreed to host part of the system. The alliance sent a monetary message directly to Russian leaders, agreeing to devote $1 billion to support the Moscow-opposed shield. "This decision ... now means that NATO has, for the first time," Daalder said, "a territorial missile defense capability." The missile agreement comes after Obama administration officials sounded a defiant tone toward Moscow in the days before the summit. "There is nothing I can imagine that will keep us from deploying the system as planned," Ellen Tauscher, a U.S. special envoy for strategic stability and missile defense, told reporters earlier this month.

Barry Pavel, a former White House and Pentagon official, says NATO officials had little choice but to move forward with plans for the system. "The key question is this: 'Is there really any chance for progress on this issue with the Russians?' " Pavel says. "The Russians know this system is not aimed at them. If it was, we'd have interceptors in northern Europe, not southern Europe. This thing would be in Greenland, Estonia and England." "The Russians know this," Pavel says. "The Russians simply want to use this as a political tool." Russian officials so far have been silent about the agreement.

Source
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waltky · Feb 9, 2013

Missile shield got holes in it...

Flaws found in US missile shield
Feb 9,`13 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secret Defense Department studies cast doubt on whether a multibillion-dollar missile defense system planned for Europe can ever protect the U.S. from Iranian missiles as intended, congressional investigators say.

Military officials say they believe they can overcome the problems and are moving forward with plans. But proposed fixes could prove difficult. One possibility has been ruled out as technically unfeasible. A second, relocating missile interceptors planned for Poland and possibly Romania to ships on the North Sea, could be diplomatically troublesome. The studies are the latest to highlight serious problems for a plan that has been criticized on several fronts. Republicans claim it was developed hastily in an attempt to appease Russia, which had opposed an earlier system. But Russia is also critical of the plan, which it believes is really intended to counter its missiles. A series of governmental and scientific reports has raised questions about whether it would ever work as planned.

At a time that the military faces giant budget cuts, the studies could lead Congress to reconsider whether it is worthwhile to spend billions for a system that may not fulfill its original goals. The classified studies were summarized in a briefing for lawmakers by the Government Accountability Office, Congress' nonpartisan investigative and auditing arm, which is preparing a report. The GAO briefing, which was not classified, was obtained by The Associated Press. Military officials declined repeated requests to discuss the studies on the record, noting they were classified. Even speaking on condition of anonymity, officials declined to say whether the GAO accurately had reported its conclusions. But the briefing had been reviewed by several Defense Department officials and the revisions they requested were incorporated. There was no indication they had objected to how the studies had been described.

The officials who spoke to the AP emphasized that the interceptor intended to protect the United States is in the early stages of development and its capabilities are not known. They said that the U.S. is already protected by other missile defense systems. Even if European-based interceptors are unable to directly defend the United States, they say they would protect not only European allies and U.S. troops stationed on the continent, but also U.S. radars there that are necessary for all U.S. missile defense plans. Missile defense has been a contentious issue since President George W. Bush sought to base long-range interceptors in Central Europe to stop missiles from Iran. Some Democrats criticized the plans, saying they were rushed and based on unproven technology. Russia believed the program was aimed at countering its missiles and undermining its nuclear deterrent.

It might seem logical for the U.S. to want to have a defense against Russian missiles, but it's not that simple. A new missile defense system aimed at Russia could undermine the balance between the nuclear powers, leading Moscow to add to its arsenal and build up its own defenses. It would undermine prospects for further cuts in nuclear weapons, which are a priority for President Barack Obama, and could hurt U.S.-Russian cooperation on other issues of international importance. Obama reworked the plans soon after taking office in 2009, saying the threat from long-range Iranian missiles was years off. His plans called for slower interceptors that could address Iran's medium-range missiles. The interceptors would be upgraded gradually over four phases, culminating early next decade with those intended to protect both Europe and the United States.

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waltky · Nov 10, 2015

Look who's talking...

Iran Unveils Huge Underground Missile Base
October 16, 2015 - Iran released for the first time on Wednesday a video report showing one of its underground missile bases, local media outlets reported.

Located 500 meters under the ground, the base contains several kinds of advanced missiles and rocket launchers. Iranian missiles of varying ranges are ready to be launched from underground bases once Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei orders to do so, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

He explained that the Islamic Republic has created Missile Bases in all the provinces and cities throughout the country at a depth of 500 meters under Ground. We have no concern over the newest and most advanced generations of satellites and spying equipments owned by the enemies of the Islamic Revolution, Hajizadeh added and stressed that This is only one of Irans missile bases, The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh added that his country will replace the current home-made missiles with new generations of long-range, advanced missiles, which run on liquid and solid fuel.

Hajizadeh also said those who threaten Iran with military option on the table are better to take a look at Irans options under the table, referring to the underground military bases. Irans known military power is only the tip of the iceberg, he further asserted. Iran has so far benefited from domestic specialists to improve its military power, frequently unveiling new products. Many official said that Irans military capability has become very limited compared to that of the US and NATO. Since 1992, Iran has been manufacturing its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines and fighter planes.

http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-unveils-huge-underground-missile-base/
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waltky · Nov 10, 2015

Granny says he's a madman...

Putin: Russia To Deploy Weapons To Counter U.S. Missile Shield
November 10, 2015 - President Vladimir Putin says Russia will counter NATO's missile-defense program by deploying new offensive weapons that can penetrate the shield.

Putin told Russian defense officials on November 10 that the United States is trying to "neutralize" Moscow's strategic nuclear deterrent by developing defenses against Russia's ballistic missiles. He said Washington is attempting to gain a "decisive military superiority" over Russia but that Moscow will developing "strike systems capable of piercing any missile defenses."

Putin said companies in the "military-industrial complex" in the last three years "have created and successfully tested a number of prospective weapons systems that are capable of performing combat missions in a layered missile-defense system." The statement comes amid a major strain in relations between Washington and Moscow that have plunged to their lowest point since the Cold War because of differences over the Ukraine crisis.

Russia has complained for several years about NATO's U.S.-led missile shield, which Washington has said is defense against an attack from a rogue state like Iran or North Korea. But Putin said that "regrettably, our concerns and cooperation proposals haven't been taken into account."

http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-to-deploy-weapons-to-counter-us-missile-shield/27356651.html
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Iran Stops Dismantling Centrifuges After Hard-Line Criticism
November 10, 2015 - Iran has stopped dismantling centrifuges in at least one of the country’s nuclear facilities.

Alireza Zakani, the head of the Iranian parliament’s nuclear deal commission, said the deactivation of the centrifuges had stopped at the Fordo underground facility because of the lawmakers’ letter to President Hassan Rohani. Zakani did not mention the state of activities at the Natanz enrichment plant. The move comes a few days after a group of hard-line lawmakers called on Rohani to stop dismantling centrifuges, which they claimed was being done too rapidly and not according to directives from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The dismantling of the centrifuges is part of the landmark nuclear deal that Iran signed with six world powers in Vienna in July that curbs Iran's controversial nuclear program in exchange for relief from international economic sanctions. “[The dismantling] was stopped with a warning before it began,” Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was quoted as saying on November 10 by the semiofficial Mehr news agency. Khamenei has said the international nuclear deal should only be implemented once allegations of past military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program have been resolved.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is conducting a probe of the nuclear program and is expected to announce its conclusions on the military dimensions of the program in December. Last week, Iranian Atomic Energy Organization head Ali Akbar Salehi said that initial work to lower the number of centrifuges had begun in line with the nuclear agreement. As part of the agreement, Iran must remove or deactivate two-thirds of its centrifuges.

http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-stops-dismantling-centrifuges/27356597.html
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waltky · May 13, 2016

Missile shield goes up in Romania...

Protecting Europe from ballistic missiles
Thu, 12 May 2016 - Nato's new missile shield in Romania is designed to identify, track and shoot down ballistic missiles fired towards Europe - but military leaders deny they see Russia as the likely threat.

America's latest addition to its Ballistic Missile Defence System looks out of place surrounded by mile after mile of flat Romanian farmland. The building at Devesulu, which houses radar and 12 interceptor missile tubes, appears remarkably similar to the "sensors and shooters" that have already been placed on US Aegis warships. It has even been painted in the same battleship grey and is manned and operated by US Navy personnel who will rotate on six-month tours as if they were at sea. They might as well be, because there are few signs of human life nearby. Devesulu is the first land-based ballistic interceptor system to be set up in Europe. At a ceremony attended by Romanian, US and Nato leaders on Thursday it was declared "operational".

Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Facility in Deveselu, Romania

It is now able to fire "a bullet at a bullet": the interceptor missile tries to hit a ballistic missile on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Work is now starting on building a second base in northern Poland. Together with four US Aegis warships, these Aegis Ashore sites will provide a network that can identify, track and shoot down ballistic missiles fired towards Europe. Turkey already has an early warning radar that activates the Aegis system and will eventually be joined by one in the UK. Dutch and Danish warships are also being fitted with sensors that will plug into the system. It will all be controlled from the US base in Ramstein, Germany. Ostensibly under Nato control, in reality it is the US that is largely driving and funding this programme.

Where is the threat?

So where does the threat come from? Nato's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, says "many countries are seeking to develop or acquire their own ballistic missiles". The Middle East region is often mentioned but US officials have been more specific in naming Iran as a potential aggressor. Despite the recent agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme, it is pressing ahead with its own ballistic missile programme. Still, it seems odd to ramp up the pressure on Iran so soon after it's made concessions to the West. As for other "threats from the Middle East" it is all rather vague. Strangely, the clearest language from both Nato and US officials is about what the system is not. "It's not about Russia" is the prefix to any description of the system. At the Deveselu ceremony the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Robert Work, said: "I want to make clear - this site, nor the site going into Poland - will have the capacity to undermine Russia's strategic (nuclear) deterrent." Mr Stoltenberg insisted: "The interceptors are too few and located too far south to intercept Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles." The language, though, appears to be deliberately precise. There is no mention of Russian short and medium range ballistic missiles.

Nor is there any denial that the sensors will be able to look into Russian territory. Few would argue the two nations housing the land-based interceptors, Romania and Poland, are more worried about say Iran or North Korea's actions than their biggest and nearest neighbour. There are, of course, plenty of good reasons to play down any potential impact on Russia as tensions are already high. Russia has been flexing its military muscle near to Nato's borders and the Alliance has responded by stepping up its own military exercises. It is easy to see why the reassurances have not worked. Moscow says the system is a threat to its own security, even if it is a defensive measure. And given recent history it is hard to see how this system, which will be upgraded through its lifetime, has "nothing to do with Russia''. Russia has a track record of being misleading and worse - not least over its intervention in both Ukraine and Syria. But on missile defence, Nato and the US may also risk being accused of not telling the whole truth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36271074
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US missile shield opens in Romania, Russia sees threat
Fri, May 13, 2016 - A US missile defense site in Romania aimed at protecting Europe from ballistic missile threats became operational yesterday, angering Russia, which opposes having the advanced military system in its former area of influence.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tried to reassure Russia as he spoke at a ceremony attended by US, NATO and Romanian officials at the Soviet-built base, 180km southwest of Bucharest. The NATO missile defense site in no way undermines or weakens Russias strategic nuclear deterrent. This site in Romania, as well as the one in Poland, are not directed against Russia, Stoltenberg said at the opening ceremony. The interceptors are too few, and located too far south or too close to Russia, to be able to intercept Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Stoltenberg said the interceptors were designed instead to tackle the potential threat posed by short and medium-range attacks from outside the Euro-Atlantic area. US officials say the Romanian missile shield, which cost US$800 million, is intended to fend off missile threats from Iran and is not aimed at Russia. Stoltenberg added that Moscow had unilaterally terminated cooperative dialogue about missile defense in 2013. However, the alliance would continue to try and engage Russia in dialogue where possible, he said. In times of tension, keeping channels of communication open is even more important, he said.

US Marines carrying flags, march past the Command Center building, prior to the inauguration ceremony at a military anti-ballistic missile defense facility in Deveselu, Romania

Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Moscow was already taking measures for securing the necessary level of security in Russia. Russian Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, chairman of the State Dumas defense committee, called the missile defense site a threat to Russia. This is a direct threat to us, Komoyedov, the former commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, told the Interfax news agency. They are moving to the firing line. This is not just 100; its 200, 300, 1,000 percent aimed against us. This is not about Iran, but about Russia with its nuclear capabilities, he said.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said Bucharest wanted NATO to have a permanent naval presence in the Black Sea that respected international conventions, and called for increased security for NATO members in the south and east, which border Russia and the Middle East. It is important that a credible and predictable presence can be assured of the allied forces on the eastern flank, to balance the northern dimension with the southern and eastern flank, Iohannis said after meeting Stoltenberg yesterday. Polish and US officials are to break ground today at a planned missile defense site in the Polish village of Redzikowo, near the Baltic Sea.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2016/05/13/2003646174
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