Missile shield in Turkey signifies west's military weakness

NATO's plan to deploy a missile shield in Turkey demonstrates the US and European states' military and political weakness, Iranian defense minister stated. "The NATO missile shield is a show of power on the surface but, in fact, shows the enemy's weak position and helplessness," Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Jam-e Jam satellite network on Sunday. "On the other hand, if Europeans see themselves in need of such missile shield against Iran why don't they take any action in this regard and it is just the US which talks about this plan and advertises it," the Iranian defense minister stated. Late in November, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh warned that Tehran will target the NATO missile shield in Turkey in case it comes under attack. "We have prepared ourselves, if any threat is staged against Iran, we will target NATO's missile shield in Turkey and will then attack other targets," General Hajizadeh said addressing a congregation of 10,000 Basij (volunteer forces) members in the Western town of Khorramabad at the time. He further described deployment of the NATO missile defense system in Turkey as a deceitful move, saying that the NATO is misusing Turkey to save the Zionist regime. Many analysts believe that the NATO's anti-missile system to be deployed in Turkey will be aimed at Iran. Iranian officials have called on Turkey to reverse its decision for hosting the missile shield and withdraw from the plan. Tehran officials have repeatedly cautioned Ankara that the system is meant to create a shield for Israel and is thus seen as a threat to Iran.