A federal grand jury in Miami has returned an indictment against eight South Florida corporations and eight individuals charging them with selling electronic equipment to Iran that can be used to make explosive devices including IEDs or "road side bombs." These types of bombs have killed almost 2,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The equipment was purchased by intermediaries in Europe, China, and Malaysia and funneled to Iran. Most of those charged are Iranian nationals.
On Monday, Iranian military leaders said they are conducting a missile defense test and other armed forces exercises. The exercises will test the 29 Russian-made Tor M1-air defense missile systems Iran purchased recently from Russia. "The drills are being conducted in more thanhalf of Iran's provinces," an Iranian General said. "Their main goal is to rehearse tactical operations with modern weapons and generally to upgrade the operational effectiveness of the country's armed forces."
Russia Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin visited Venezuela this week and talked with President Hugo Chavez for two hours about energy, manufacturing, and science. The trip underscores the growing and continued cooperation between the two countries and an expanding military relationship. "As part of a high-level intergovernmental commission, we reviewed projects currently under development and agreed that the next meeting would be held in October in Caracas," Sechin told reporters. He also referred to Venezuela as "one of Russia's most reliable (defense) partners." Interestingly, Sechin also gave Chavez a new Russian biography of Fidel Castro.
The defense partnership between the two countries is clearly more than just talk. This week, two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers flew a patrol mission along the South American coast. "The aircraft took off from the Libertador airbase in Venezuela on Monday and flew along the South American coast toward Brazil," Russian Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said. The planes are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The bomber's crews met with Chavez before returning to Russia.
