NewsMine — war-on-terror — iran — nuclear-posturing — Viewing Item

Iran says spy drones flew over nuclear sites Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-16-iran-nukes_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-16-iran-nukes_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA Iran says U.S. spy drones have flown over its nuclear sites TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The United States has been flying spy drones over Iran's nuclear sites, Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said Wednesday, responding for the first time to reports of American unmanned surveillance craft over Iran. "Most of the shining objects that our people see in Iran's airspace are American spying equipment used to spy on Iran's nuclear and military facilities," the minister told reporters. His remarks supported a report Sunday in The Washington Post that quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying the drones have been flying over Iran for nearly a year to seek evidence of nuclear weapons programs. The newspaper said the drones had been leaving from U.S. military bases in Iraq and were equipped with air filters designed to pick up traces of nuclear activity. "U.S. spying activities over Iranian airspace have been going since a long time ago," Yunesi said. "These activities won't reveal anything to them," Yunesi said of the Americans. "That's to say, it won't give them anything new." "Our nuclear activities are open and very transparent. Our military activities are all legal," Yunesi said. He spoke while visiting a prison for dissidents under the Shah that has been turned into a museum. In December, the Iranian air force was ordered to shoot down any unknown flying objects. At the time, there were reports in Iranian newspapers that Iran had discovered spying devices in the pilotless planes that it had shot down. "If any of the bright objects come close, they will definitely meet our fire and will be shot down. We possess the necessary equipment to confront them," Yunesi said. Last month, Yunesi said the United States had been conducting aerial surveillance, but he didn't mentioned drones or nuclear sites. Iranian media has been gripped by a kind of "flying object" fever with dozens of reported sightings in recent weeks. State-run media has reported numerous sightings of unknown objects flying over parts of Iran where nuclear facilities are located. The objects were spotted near Natanz — which has a uranium enrichment plant — and Isfahan, which has a facility for producing uranium hexaflouride gas, the feedstock for enriching uranium. Uranium enriched to low grades is used for fuel in nuclear reactors, but further enrichment makes it suitable for atomic bombs. The United States accuses Iran of having a secret program to manufacture nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its nuclear program is entirely for the generation of electricity.

Ahmadinejad says oil prices will increase Blair threatens UN action on iran { January 11 2006 } Brazil pursues nuclear enrichment without fuss { April 20 2006 } Brits produce documents for iran pretext { January 4 2006 } Bush calls plans to strike iran wild speculation { April 10 2006 } Bush takes strong stand against iran nukes { June 18 2003 } Bush wont rule out nuclear strike on iran China and russia unite against west Concerns iran nuclear arms { May 8 2003 } Defying UN iran opens nuclear reactor { July 2006 } EU pressures iran with documents European sanctions against iran could raise oil prices France says iran seeks nuke weapons Frist says military action possible against iran German chancellor likens iran nuclear threat to nazis IAEA demands iran disclose nuclear intentions Iran braces for nuclear dispute { April 17 2003 } Iran ignores UN nuclear deadline { August 31 2006 } Iran issues stark military warning to united states Iran moves its western assets east { December 2006 } Iran nuclear plant { July 29 2002 } Iran nuke experts visisted nkorea { June 11 2003 } Iran plans small scale nuclear fuel work { December 2005 } Iran president said iran heading toward annihilation { April 15 2006 } Iran says military unaffected by UN sanctions { April 18 2007 } Iran says spy drones flew over nuclear sites Iran stalling EU to create atomic weapon Iran tests radar avoiding missile { March 31 2006 } Iran warns europe to make nuke talks works { May 22 2005 } Iranian president wins syrian support on atomic row Irans nuclear threat Scientists working on nuclear bomb Un nuclear agency demanding iran come clean { September 7 2003 } Un says iran had nuclear program { November 11 2003 } Uranium for nuclear plant US considers use of nuclear weapons against iran { March 2006 } US debates nuclear strikes on iran { September 15 2004 } US official claim iran 16 days from nuclear bomb US open to new iran russia nuclear talks { March 13 2006 } Us waging psychological warfare World nuclear panel refer iran to UN security council { February 4 2006 } Files Listed: 41

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