NATO radar system shows weakness of Europe, U.S.

TEHRAN, Dec. 27 (MNA) – During a televised interview broadcast live on Jaam-e-Jam TV network on Sunday night, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi commented on Turkey’s decision to host an early warning radar as part of NATO’s missile defense system, which is ostensibly meant to counter an alleged ballistic missile threat from Iran. According to the Journal of Turkish Weekly, an unidentified Turkish official said on December 23 that NATO’s Malatya-based ballistic missile early warning radar system will begin functioning next week. The Turkish official also stated that the system has been designed to intercept missiles from “rogue states” and that the device was defensive and not directed at any particular country, especially Iran. The Iranian defense minister said that the installation of the defense shield illustrates the “military and political weakness” of Europe and the United States. “The defense shield plan is seemingly a demonstration of power, but in fact it indicates the weakness of the enemy. And on the other hand, if Europeans feel they need that defense shield against Iran, why do they themselves not take a measure in this regard and only the U.S. raises (the issue) and launch a media campaign about it?”