US is able to defend its interests in the region should there be an Iranian military retaliation on potential targets: US Official.

 

Tehran, April 22, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - United States said it considers a military strike on Iran to halt its nuclear program to be always an option.

 

Geoff Morrell, the defense department’s press secretary told reporters on Wednesday, the United States is not removing the option off the so-called table since Washington’s policy is to track both ends of the engagement i.e. conducting a peaceful negotiation while threatening to attack militarily. 

 

This description of the US policy followed a recent announcement by US defense undersecretary Michele Flournoy who said a military strike on Iran is not on the table in the near term. The spokesman reiterated US’s ability to defend its interests in the region should there be an Iranian military retaliation on potential targets.

 

Meanwhile in Iran the country military is conducting a three-day drill in strategic waters of the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait. The Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the country’s military is fully ready to defend itself from the enemy.

 

FNA quoted Vahidi as saying during his visit to northern city of Babol, ‘ Given the Zionist regime’s international isolation, the regime in Tel-Aviv lacks the courage to attack and conduct a military engagement with Iran’s armed forces.’

 

According to the Minister of Defense, the Israeli regime is mired in its internal disputes and suffers from international isolation. The Minister was asked if Iran planned to produce an Iranian version of the famed S-300 system on its own. Vahidi replied that Iran does not need to produce the exact system but has plans to produce a similar system in the future.

 

Russia has been dragging its feet to fulfill a military deal with Iran to supply several S-300 units since the contract was signed over a year ago. Moscow claims a technical glitch as the reason behind the delays.