Monday, January 24, 2005

Iranian Intelligence minister rebuts 'Iran covert operation' claim

Payvand News:
Iran's Intelligence Minister Ali Younessi stepped up the war of words with the US Sunday, describing American commandos as 'chicks' as they were said to have been carrying out covert reconnaissance operations inside the Islamic Republic.

"We are eagerly looking for the Americans commandos to come to Iran since they are chicks which would rapidly be picked up by our eagles," he said at a news conference here. ...

Younessi roundly brushed off the report, saying, "The Americans are stupid, but not so much to make the same mistake which they made in Tabas." ...

Touching on reports about flight of unidentified aircraft in Iranian airspace, Younessi said, "The flight of these planes are part of the espionage which they (the Americans) carry out; this is nothing new."

Asked what was Iran's reaction, he said, "I am excused from commenting on our reaction, but every action has a reaction."

Asefi said, "Iran is strong enough to resist such threats." more