Iran's domestically built missiles on display in a military compound in Tehran, Iran, last week. AP Photo
Iran's domestically built missiles on display in a military compound in Tehran, Iran, last week. AP Photo
Iran's domestically built missiles on display in a military compound in Tehran, Iran, last week. AP Photo
Iran's domestically built missiles on display in a military compound in Tehran, Iran, last week. AP Photo

Iran claims to have foiled Israeli sabotage plot on its missile industry


  • English
  • Arabic

Iran says it has foiled an Israeli plot to sabotage its defence and missile production industry, state media reported.

Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the world, often said to be a key component of its military deterrent, and also fields large numbers of low-flying cruise missiles, which it is constantly upgrading.

"The intelligence unit of the Defence Ministry thwarted one of the largest sabotage plots targeting Iran's missile, aviation and airspace military industry," Iranian state TV said. "This sabotage was carried out under the guidance of the Zionist intelligence services and their agents."

Citing an unnamed source, state media said a network of Israeli spies had aimed to introduce defective parts into the production of advanced missiles.

There was no immediate response from Israel.

The announcement comes a day after Iran's Foreign Minister said Israel will face retaliation for attacks on Syria.

Hossein Amirabdollahian was speaking during a visit to the Syrian capital.

His warning came two days after air strikes blamed on Israel hit the international airport in Aleppo.

Mr Amirabdollahian, who held meetings with Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, described Syria as “an ally of Iran” and Iran as “a friend of Syria during the Arab country’s difficult times”.

The air strikes damaged the runway at Aleppo's airport, putting it out of service. The airport has been targeted several times this year, including two attacks in March that put it out of service.

“The criminal practices by the Zionist entity in the region will not remain without retaliation,” Mr Amirabdollahian said at a press conference with Mr Mekdad in Damascus.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations.

The strikes often aim at Syrian military forces or Iran-backed groups.

Tehran has been a main backer of the Syrian government since a 2011 uprising turned into a civil war.

It has sent thousands of fighters to Syria, helping to tip the balance of power in the favour of President Bashar Al Assad.

Israel has damaged air and seaports in the government-held parts of Syria in an apparent attempt to prevent arms shipments from Iran to militant groups backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Mr Amirabdollahian also called for the withdrawal of US forces from Syria, describing their presence in the country as illegal. Hundreds of American troops are posted in north-east Syria to support anti-ISIS operations by allied Syrian forces.

“We advise US forces to return home, and we also advise American authorities to leave the region to the people of the region,” the Iranian minister said.

Mr Amirabdollahian also spoke about the recent string of public desecrations of the Quran by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Denmark.

He said Denmark's Foreign Minister told him that the government planned to make it illegal to desecrate any holy book.

“We welcome this move and we advise Sweden and other European countries to respect religions and holy books,” Mr Amirabdollahian said.

The desecrations of Islam's holy text sparked protests across the Muslim world, some of them violent.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Match info

Deccan Gladiators 87-8

Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16

Maratha Arabians 89-2

Chadwick Walton 51 not out

Arabians won the final by eight wickets

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE TWIN BIO

Their favourite city: Dubai

Their favourite food: Khaleeji

Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach

Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

AGL AWARDS

Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)

Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: August 31, 2023, 12:43 PM`