New naval war games under way

Tehran: Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard yesterday began naval manoeuvres in the latest show of force near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the critical Gulf oil tanker route that Tehran has threatened to close in retaliation of tougher Western sanctions.

Plans for new Iranian war games in the Gulf have been in the works for weeks. But they got under way following stern warnings by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, about any possible US or Israeli attacks against Tehran's nuclear facilities.

The month-long manoeuvres also come after Western forces boosted their naval presence in the Gulf led by the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Iran has so far made no attempts to disrupt shipping through the strait, the route for one-fifth the world's crude oil. The US and its allies have said they would respond swiftly to any attempts at a blockade.

Last month, Iran's navy wrapped up 10 days of exercises in the Gulf, but the Revolutionary Guard — which is directly under control of the supreme leader — represents a significantly stronger military force and controls key programmes such as missile development. Iranian state media announced the new manoeuvres, but gave no further details.

Khamenei, in a speech nationally broadcast on Friday, staked out a hardline after suggestions by Israel that military strikes are an increasing possibility if sanctions fail to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

He pledged to aid any nation or group that challenges Israel and said any military strike would damage US interests in the Middle East "10 times" more than they would hurt Iran. The comments also may signal that Tehran's proxy forces — led by Lebanon's Islamic group Hezbollah — could be given the green light to revive attacks on Israel as the showdown between the arch foes intensifies.

Khamenei affirmed that Iran had assisted groups such as Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas — a well-known policy rarely stated explicitly by Iranian leaders — and said that Tehran would assist anyone else who challenges Israel.

Uranium enrichment

"From now on, in any place, if any nation or any group confronts the Zionist regime, we will endorse and we will help. We have no fear expressing this," said Khamenei, using the phrase widely used by Iran's leader to describe Israel.

The West and its allies fear Iran could use its uranium enrichment labs — which make nuclear fuel — to eventually produce weapons-grade material. Iran insists it only seeks reactors for energy and medical research.

Israel has so far publicly backed the efforts by the US and European Union for tougher sanctions that target Iran's crucial oil exports. But Israeli leaders have urged even harsher measures and warn that military action remains a clear option despite Western appeals to allow time for the economic pressures and isolation to bear down on Iran.

Although Israel has raised the strongest hints over a military campaign, Khamenei reserved some of his strongest comments for Israel's key US ally.

"A war itself will damage the US 10 times" more in the region, said Khamenei.

Germany opposes idea

Germany's foreign minister said Europe was determined to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, but was warning against military action.

Sitting on a panel with US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, Guido Westerwelle yesterday said the European Union's recent decision to expand sanctions against Tehran makes "very clear that Europe is not willing to allow a nuclear armed Iran." He said Europe was "convinced a nuclear armed Iran is ... a danger to the whole world." But in the wake of reports that Israel may be preparing for military strikes against Iran, Westerwelle said Europe was "warning against escalation."

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