Iran Launches Large Military Exercise Near Iraqi Border

If the Iraqi elections look like they are going to be a success, watch for these troops to move west into Iraq. Iranian military leaders have been threatening a preemptive strike on US forces.

Iran 's army launched its largest military exercise Friday near the Iraqi border, state-run radio reported. Gen. Ali Salimi, the army's chief commander, was quoted as saying the "Followers of the Supreme Leader" exercises were "the biggest in the history of the army" in number of units and operations.

More than 120,000 air and ground troops were to take part in the war games across more than 100,000 square kilometers in five western provinces near the Iraqi border. It was not immediately clear why the location was chosen or how long the exercise would last.

Tanks, armored personnel carriers, jet fighters and helicopters will be deployed in the exercise, Gen. Amir Karimi, a spokesman, was quoted as saying.

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