Iran to hold "massive" air defense drills

Iranian soldiers keep watch at a patrol post in Zabol, southeastern Iran, near the Afghan border, on October 10, 2012. / Getty

TEHRAN, Iran Iran's official news agency says the country's military will hold "massive" air defense maneuvers in the east, starting this weekend.

Gen. Farzad Esmaili, head of Iran's air defense headquarters, says the drill will include Iranian jet fighters, drones, air defense systems and about 8,000 troops.

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Esmaili is quoted by the official IRNA news agency on Thursday as saying that the area of the war games will cover nearly the entire eastern half of Iran. The exercise is to start on Saturday and last seven days.

The maneuvers come amid escalating tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's suspect nuclear program, which the West fears is a cover for a pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge, saying the program is for peaceful purposes only.

[tsigili]

Israel now KNOWS that the U.S. will NOT be standing with them.

[dh47]

Great time for Israel to wipe them out. All in one place = great tactical advantage.

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Iran's Army of Clowns

Gen. Farzad Esmaili, head of Iran's air defense headquarters, says the drill will include Iranian jet fighters (fifty percent will be used for spare parts) , one dozen drones (GI Jo Tactical helicopters at Toys R Us renamed "Mother of all Big Breasts"), air defense systems (one thousand interceptor Canada Geese and fifty five "Give Peace a Chance" leaflets, that is until we have the nuclear bomb) and about 8,000 troops who will be dressed as clowns to repair the failing jet fighters, to pick up the Canada Geese's **** and to distribute the leaflets like confetti on the parade's thin line.