Iranian Missile Program

[ejaz007]

Iran builds new longer-range missile: report
2 hours ago

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Tuesday announced it has built a new missile with a range sufficient to put Israel and US bases in the Middle East within easy reach, amid rising tensions over Tehran's contested nuclear drive.

Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the new "Ashura" missile had a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) -- the farthest in Iran's arsenal -- the Fars news agency reported.

"The construction of the Ashura missile with a range of 2,000 kilometres is one of the accomplishments of the ministry of defence," the agency quoted Najjar as saying.

However there has been considerable confusion in recent months about the capacities of Iran's longer-range missiles, seen by experts as one of its chief military assets.

Iran in September at its main military parade unveiled a missile labelled Ghadr-1 (Power), which was said to have a range of 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles).

Iran's best-known longer-range missile, the Shahab-3, has been said by officials in the past to have a range of 2,000 kilometres. Yet at the military parade it was said to have only a 1,300-kilometre (800-mile) range.

Some Western military experts claimed that the Ghadr-1 was no more than a Shahab-3 under a different name. It has the "baby bottle" style nose for extra aerodynamic efficiency seen on versions of the Shahab-3.

The Fars news agency, known for its coverage of military affairs, did not publish any new pictures of the new missile, which is named after the holy Ashura mourning ceremony that marks the death of Shiite imam Hossein.

Iran has regularly touted the abilities of its missile arsenal at a time of mounting tension with the West over its nuclear programme.

The defence minister also announced that Iran had developed a new submarine named "Ghadir" after another holy day and a destroyer called "Moj" (wave), without giving further details.

The United States has never ruled out a military attack against Iran to punish its years of defiance in the nuclear crisis, even though Washington says it favours solving the standoff though diplomacy.

The Islamic republic has said it will never initiate any attack but has also warned it will strike back with crushing force if the United States launches an assault.

Iranian military officials have publicly threatened to hit US bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and on the Arabian peninsula with its missiles if Washington attacks.

"Iran will never launch an attack but if Iran is attacked we will respond with all our force against aggressors," Najjar was quoted by saying.

The United States accuses Iran of trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge that Tehran vehemently denies.

It has also vowed never to recognise Israel -- the region's sole if undeclared nuclear power -- and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped from the map."

Iran is one of the few regional powers absent from a US-hosted meeting in Annapolis, Maryland that aims to kick-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Iranian officials have expressed frustration that states such as Saudi Arabia and its ally Syria are taking part in the meeting.

Here is the link
AFP: Iran builds new longer-range missile: report

It seems Iran is making quick progress on missile development. What possible military targets Iran might have in mind, please Comments.
Regards,

 

[PakistaniPatriot]

hmmm...Cool.

 

[EagleEyes]

The main threat is Israel. They also have to keep in check with United States and possibly Europe, because U.S. wants to develop a defence shield in Europe.

 

[ejaz007]

Pakistani Patriot,
What’s so cool about a country that physically borders you and has a 2,000 kilometer range missile. It can easily hit almost every inch of Pakistan. Remember international politics is a strange and very tricky business. No one can predict future.

 

[Black Stone]

It is clear that they are preparing this for the possible US and Israel conflict.

 

[ejaz007]

Yes quite possible but considering that USA would most likely only bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities and try to destroy them would Iran use its ballistic missiles. Even if Iran uses them against which country Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE or Pakistan. They all have supported US in its so called war on terror and some also have US forces.

 

[Black Stone]

Yes quite possible but considering that USA would most likely only bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities and try to destroy them would Iran use its ballistic missiles. Even if Iran uses them against which country Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE or Pakistan. They all have supported US in its so called war on terror and some also have US forces.

Yes, if the US attacks it would be from the air. The US would dominate the skies and Iran can't do anything.

US would bomb Iranian nuclear sites aswell as other strategic targets. Overall, it would be a bombing campaign destroying the nuclear threat and put Iran 60 years back.

Even with this said, if US invades and/or put ground troops, then the US would suffer heavy casualties from human waves, guerilla, hezbollah style attacks.

If just air raids, then maybe minor casualties but US would win in that style of combat.

 

[alibaz]

iran doesnot need a missile of this range to strike Pakistan they may have other options( If they need to do it !!!!!!!!!)
i think in present political environment it is not so easy for US to attack Iran in using any of the options suggested by Black Stone.

 

[Black Stone]

iran doesnot need a missile of this range to strike Pakistan they may have other options( If they need to do it !!!!!!!!!)
i think in present political environment it is not so easy for US to attack Iran in using any of the options suggested by Black Stone.

Your right on the not easy part. Any war is not easy especially for a superpower like the US. If war was easy, then this is a scary world indeed.

The US has one foot on Iraq and one in Afghanistan, we don't have another foot for Iran, especially when Iran is much stronger.

With this in mind, the crazy Bush admin. would not allow a nuclear Iran. That is a 100% confirmed policy. Even if it means military actions to prevent this.

Should military action is initiated, then Air campaign is the US safest option over a land invasion.

 

[ARSENAL6]

Pakistani Patriot,
What’s so cool about a country that physically borders you and has a 2,000 kilometer range missile. It can easily hit almost every inch of Pakistan. Remember international politics is a strange and very tricky business. No one can predict future.

ejaz i'll be frank with you
yes its true that things could turn for the worse
but as it stands the United states and Israel hate to see a powerful Islamic country and they will do all they can to stop it.

Remember the remarks that Bush made about \Pakistan to bomb back into the stone age even though we are its Ally ?
Bush wouldn't dare to say it against the UK Europe or Isreal. So why us

I'd rather side with the enemy whom we are kindred with
better the Devil you know.

 

[ejaz007]

I am not concerned about US president’s remarks about Pakistan. I don’t consider him to be a threat to Pakistan. He is however a serious threat for USA. I always had the feeling that it is the divine duty of US president to say bad things about Pakistan to make some hidden force or forces happy.
As far as Iran’s missile program is concerned I believe we the Pakistanis are naïve and do not understand the dangers associated with a missile equipped and nuclear neighbor. Today if Iran is standing with us this does not mean he will be with us tomorrow. Today Iran might need us but tomorrow if situation changes than what will happen. Do we have the way and means to protect all our borders India, Afghanistan and then Iran? There are already speculations of a possible Iranian connection with regards to what is happening in Balochistan. Know what no one is your permanent friend or enemy.