The following are excerpts from an interview with General Hosein Salami,
Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force, which aired on
Jaam-e Jam 3 TV on April 4, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP VISIT: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1106

*Clip # 1106 - Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force Commander, General
Hosein Salami: We Are Capable of Blocking Oil Export from the Persian Gulf
and the Gulf of Oman with Our Missiles

General Hosein Salami: Although the weapons we manufacture are long-range,
they are not meant for the population or countries of the region, nor for
any other country, unless it is a country that poses a threat to us. In such
a case, we will not be courteous towards anyone. We are frank with everyone.
We believe that our life as a nation depends on our defensive ability. This
is not supported to increase the concerns of the region's countries, but
unfortunately, you see superpowers that have traveled thousands of miles,
from the other side of the world and overseas. They send armies to this
region, and rob its countries of their right to political life. They disrupt
the social life and economic system of the region. [..] We believe that as
Iran's deterrence capability in the region increases, the ability to make
threats decreases. Since our weapons are for deterrent purposes, they
prevent war.

Interviewer: They increase the degree of security.

General Hosein Salami: Exactly. They increase stability in the region.

[..]

Interviewer: One of the issues [the West] and especially Fox News is making
a fuss about is that by means of this maneuver, Iran wishes to make it clear
that it can prevent oil export from the region, and that since the Hormuz
Straits are only 54 km wide, it can pose a threat to the oil export with its
missile technology. Would you elaborate on this?

General Hosein Salami: You don't need to hear this from Fox News. Iran
controls over 2,000 km of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Even
without this maneuver Iran has this ability. This is a natural ability of
our country. Iran can block oil export whenever necessary. Fox News doesn't
have to make propaganda out of this. This is a natural ability of our
country.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP VISIT: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1106

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