UFOs: Iran, Russia to finalize Zohreh satellite contract
This should be read in conjunction with the second text #msg-4927318
Russia is going to help Iran shoot down UFOs that belong to the United States or Israel or something.
-Am
12/29/04
Moscow, Dec 29, IRNA -- Iran and Russia is to finalize an agreement for the construction of the Zohreh satellite for Iran.
In a meeting between Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Gholam Reza Shafei and Russian Federal Space Agency (Rosaviakosmos) chief Gen Anatoly Perminov, the two sides agreed to carry out joint space projects, including construction of satellites and exchange of experience.
The two sides also reached an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the scientific study of UFOs (unknown flying objects).
Shafei and Perminov stressed expansion of bilateral cooperation particularly in space research and construction of satellites.
Officials of the Russian Federal Space Agency and Iran held discussions in Tehran last month on implementation of the Iranian Zohreh satellite project.
Shafei had earlier cited bureaucratic hassles in Iran and Russia as among the obstacles in the way of expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, saying the Zohreh project has not been materialized after so many years due to such problems.
Iran to shoot down ‘flying objects’ near nuclear facilities
December 26, 2004
TEHRAN: Iran’s air force has been ordered to shoot down any unidentified or suspicious flying objects in Iran’s airspace, an air force spokesman said on Saturday, amid state-media reports of sightings of flying objects near Iran’s nuclear installations.
“All anti-aircraft units and jet fighters have been ordered to shoot down the flying objects over Iran’s airspace,” spokesman of the Regular Army Air Force Colonel Salman Mahini said.
Flying object fever has gripped Iran after dozens of reported sightings in the summer and in recent weeks. State-run media has reported sightings of unidentified objects flying over parts of IRAN where nuclear facilities are located.
“The unidentified flying objects could be satellites, comets or spying or reconnaissance crafts trying to monitor Iran’s nuclear installations,” Mahini said.
“Flights of unknown objects in the country’s airspace have increased in recent weeks ... (they) have been seen over Bushehr and Isfahan provinces,” the Resalat newspaper reported on Saturday.
There are nuclear facilities in both provinces. The timing of the reported increase in sightings, which comes as the US is urging allies to confront Iran over its nuclear program, has strengthened Iranian public perceptions that the objects are surveillance or hostile aircrafts monitoring Iran.
IRAN’s Air Force chief General Karim Ghavami was quoted in IRANian newspapers Saturday as saying that Iran was fully prepared to defend any threat to its nuclear installations. “We have arranged plans to defend nuclear facilities from any threat. Iran’s Air Force is watchful and prepared to carry out its responsibilities,” Ghavami was quoted as saying. The paper had reported that “shining objects” in the sky were seen near Natanz — where Iran’s uranium enrichment plant is located — and one had exploded, causing “concern and panic in the region.” ap