Spanish newspaper ABC reported that Venezuela has transferred at least
one F-16 fighter jets to Iran. The story was based on both sources in
Venezuela's air force and classified documents, following a tip- off
by a non-Western intelligence agency. The transfer, in 2006, was
supervised by one of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's closest aides.
According to the news report, the F-16 was given to Iran so it could
test its antiaircraft radar systems and become familiar with its
capabilities, in preparation for a possible Israeli or U.S. strike on
its nuclear facilities.
