Yesterday an Iranian military transport crashed in a Tehran suburb. The plane collided with a 10 story apartment people killing dozens of people in the plane and on the ground. Current figures put the death toll at 110 people, including dozens of journalists who were on the transport flight. Those in the Iranian press and victims’ relatives are complaining of the Iranian military’s negligence in the crash. According to reports the C-130 had been experiencing technical difficulties. These difficulties had delayed take-off and persisted during the flight. Critics argue that the plane should not have been allowed to take off, given the obvious safety concerns. Iranian government officials deny any complicity or negligence in the cause of the C-130 crash.

So if the Iranian military is not to blame for the crash of this C-130, then who is? Quite obvious in fact for any anti-American regime worth its weight in propaganda leaflets. Its the United States of course. According to the BBC, the Iranian military has at least 15 US made C-130s dating back to the period before the revolution. Iran’s aviation industry, both civil and military have a poor safety record, which they promptly blame on a lack of spare parts from the United States. Are we to believe that a nation that invests billions to develop an indigenous nuclear weapons program (to wipe its enemies off the map) or to develop long range ballistic missiles can’t afford to maintain, or replace aging aircraft?

Once again, the mullahs in Tehran, will look for any excuse to blame others in a fashion reminiscent of Mussolini. Tehran, having had no official contact with the United States in over 25 years still can resist jibes at the “Great Satan.” The facts, however, speak for themselves. In a nation who regards human life with as little regard as they do a Kleenex, can we really expect any true concern over passenger safety or anything else for that matter?http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4506074.stm