Iran puts up show of its military prowess

By STUART WILLIAMS

Tehran, April 17: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday proclaimed Iran as the "most powerful nation" on earth as the country’s Air Force showed off its prowess at a time of mounting tension with the West.

"Iran is the most powerful and independent nation in the world," Mr Ahmadinejad told a military parade outside Tehran marking the Islamic republic’s annual Army Day, reaffirming one of his favoured slogans.

Mr Ahmadinejad said all the branches of the armed forces would react forcefully in response to any attack against Iran’s soil and boasted that no one would dare to launch a strike on the country.

"The Army, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij (militia) will resist with force and coordination and respond strongly to the slightest aggression," he said. "I am proud to announce today that the Iranian nation’s power is of an extent that no major power can dare jeopardise the security and interests of the Iranian nation".

To mark the occasion, dozens of fighter jets and other aircraft flew over the parade ground in a bid to show the power of the Air Force. Also shown were several Saegheh fighter jets which Iran says is a entirely home-produced model but Western experts classify as a derivative of the F-5.

Washington imposed the blanket embargo after the pro-American Shah was toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution, and the country must work intensely to find spare parts to keep its fleet in the air.

Iran is at odds with the West over its disputed nuclear programme, which the US and its allies. (AFP)