Iran boosts range on warplanes

TEHRAN  - Iran has upgraded its fighter jets to allow them to fly 3,000 kilometres without refuelling, Iran’s air force commander said on Sunday, which would put arch-foe Israel easily within reach.

“We have succeeded in upgrading the capabilities of our planes and have increased the range of these planes to 3,000km without refuelling,” Brig-Gen Ahmad Mighani was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

“We do not wish to attack another country... but we will defend ourselves should we be attacked,” he added, without however mentioning Israel.