Iran Launches 'Long Range' Missiles at 'Mock Enemy Base'

By Newsroom America Staff at 4 Jul 2012

(Newsroom America) -- As part of war games aimed at dissuading an outside attack, Iran on Wednesday launched scores of missiles at "mock enemy bases," the country's state-run media reported.

The drill, dubbed "The Great Prophet 7," involved Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps troops who "targeted and destroyed hypothetical bases of ultra-regional forces set up in desert areas." The report did not specify those hypothetical bases, but did reference the ongoing diplomatic conflict between Iran and the U.S., the latter of which has a number of installations throughout the Persian Gulf and Middle East, ABC News reported.

"The main aim of this drill was to demonstrate the Iranian nation's political resolve to defend [its] vital values and national interests," IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami said, as quoted by Press TV, another state-run news outlet.

The station described Salami's description of the drills as a "firm response to those who threaten Iran with the option of military action."

Iran has been locked in a diplomatic row with the United States, Israel and other Western nations over its suspected development of nuclear weapons. Tehran has maintained its atomic program is only for domestic energy production; Washington and Tel Aviv have pointed to evidence that would suggest Iran is being disingenuous.

Iran's foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, told another state media outlet, ISNA, that the only way out of the nuclear confrontation is through "diplomatic and political means." Any other way, he said, would not be sought by a "sane" person.

"We have repeatedly emphasized that we are seeking interaction and do not welcome confrontation, but if they want to act unwisely, they must be aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran will gloriously defend its integrity..." he said, according to Tehran Times. "However, I believe that we will not get to that point."

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