  U.S. uses Israel to attack IranSeptember 12, 2008 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summoned Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for an urgent consultation on Iran Wed. Sept. 10, as the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier headed out to the Mediterranean for missions "in support of maritime security." Its arrival will bring the number of US aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to four, compared with two Russian warships. Most of the Russian fleet in the region is concentrated in the Black Sea whence it has easy and rapid access to Middle East waters. The Roosevelt will be followed by its strike force, which includes the guided missile cruiser Monterey, the guided missile destroyers Mason and Nitze, with 7,300 sailors and marines aboard, and the attack submarine Springfield. Sources report that the USS Ronald Reagan carrier and its strike group began engaging in assault and support missions for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Aug. 28. The Iwo Jima carrier group, whose decks carry 6,000 sailors, air crews and marines, supports the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and Fifth Fleet in the Gulf with a massive amphibious capability. The USS San Antonio amphibious transport dock ship is the first vessel of its class to be deployed in the region as a platform for supporting Marine movements and operations ashore. The USS Peleliu carrier patrols the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. It is escorted by vessels carrying a large Marine contingent. Monday, Iran launched a three-day naval-air-missile exercise to practice defense tactics for its nuclear sites, DEBKAfile reports. Meanwhile, Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin told ABC News that nuclear weapons under the control of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be "extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe." She called for a hands-off approach to Israel if it decided to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. "We cannot second-guess the steps that Israel has to take to defend itself," she said.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Related sections Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenCivil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan People demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation again blocked streets in Yerevan on May 15.Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan.Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." |
