Iranian warplanes (archives)
Photo: Reuters
Iran says its warplanes can fly to Israel and back
State TV quotes air force general as saying Islamic republic's aircraft can now fly 3,000 kilometers without refueling
Iran
says it has increased the range of its warplanes, allowing them to fly as far as Israel
and back without refueling.
State TV is quoting air force chief Gen. Ahmad Mighani as saying Iranian warplanes can now fly 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) without refueling. He didn't specify the aircraft type or explain how the range was extended.
Israel is about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Iran. Such a range could be achieved by using external fuel tanks attached to the wings or fuselage that can be released when empty.
Sunday's report did not refer to Israel by name, but Mighani's remarks come after an Israeli air exercise in June that US officials described as a possible rehearsal for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
