by Asgeir Hoem in Issue 2: Ch-ch-changes (12 March 2009)
Iranian media reported Sunday that a new air-to-ground missile has been tested. The missile, which has been under development for a long time, had a range of 110 km, and was designed to target ships. Defence analysts are theorising that “the missile test was a signal by Iran that ‘we can severely disrupt traffic’ in the Gulf if attacked.”
The missile is based on Chinese technology, Reuters reported last week. Iran often uses Chinese and North Korean technology in their missiles, which they convert and develop to suit their interests. “It is not a new development, it has been going on for some years”, says Andrew Brookes at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Iran is also known for testing weapons to show their military capacity, and willingness, to counter enemy attacks. In addition to the new air-to-ground missile, Iranian officials say the ground-to-ground Shahab missile can travel 2,000 kilometres, “enabling it to reach Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf.”
“We cannot claim that the (U.S.) Democrats are not warmongering like the Republicans. They are just as warmongering and mischievous, and they would like to do that (attack Iran),” Major-general Hassan Firouzabadi said Tuesday.
Iran has previously said that they will answer any attack by closing the Strait of Hormuz, where 40% of the world’s traded oil is shipped through. They also claimed last week that they have other missiles that can reach Israeli nuclear sites; that is the first time they have mentioned specific targets in Israel, Reuters reports.
Israel, possibly the only nuclear-armed Middle East state, feels its existence is threatened by Iran’s nuclear plans and “has not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to end the dispute.”
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
- Bob Dylan
