Iran Test-Fires More Missiles at the Strait of Hormuz

Iran Test-Fires more Missiles

TEHRAN (FNA)- July 10, 2008

Iran test-fired more long- and medium-range missiles Thursday in a third day of military exercises in the Persian/Arabian Gulf waters.

The weapons fired by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) overnight have special capabilities and included missiles launched from naval ships in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, as well as torpedoes and surface-to-surface missiles.

IRGC forces also test fired the Hoot Torpedo, manufactured only by Iran and one other country.

Among the missiles Iran tested Wednesday was a new version of the Shahab-3, which officials have said has a range of 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead.

Wednesday's missile tests were conducted at the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway at the mouth of the Persian/Arabian Gulf through which about 40 percent of the world's oil passes.

The IRGC fired nine long and medium range missiles on Wednesday, including the Shahab 1, 2, 3, Fateh and Zelzal rockets.

The new missile tests took place during the night into Thursday.

The maneuvers have also included IRGC scuba divers and marines who conducted practice assaults with speed boats on hypothetical enemy targets.

The Iranian war games and missile tests are viewed as a strong response to intensified threats by the Zionist regime and the United States.

Speculation that Israel could bomb Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month. US leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row.

Iran has responded by saying it will strike back at Tel Aviv, as well as US interests and shipping, if it is hit.

Tel Aviv and Washington have recently intensified their threats to launch military action against Iran to make Tehran drop what they allege to be a non-peaceful nuclear program, while a recent report by 16 US intelligence bodies endorsed the civilian nature of Iran's nuclear plans and activities.

Following the US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and similar reports by the IAEA head - one in November and the other one in February - which praised Iran's truthfulness about key aspects of its past nuclear activities and announced settlement of outstanding issues with Tehran, any effort to impose further sanctions or launch military attack on Iran seems to be completely irrational.

FM spokesman lambasts West's hostile approach to IRGC missile test fire

Tehran, July 10, IRNA

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hossaini said on Thursday that the western countries have adopted one-sided and hostile approach to missile test fires of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps.

According to the Information and Press Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossaini said such illogical move was a propaganda campaign in favor of the Zionist regime.

Hossaini termed such approaches as 'unjust' and 'miscalculated' and strongly condemned them.

Referring to provocative military maneuvers as well as excessive threats of the Zionist regime, he said the US and some of its western allies have ignored the enmity and threats of the Zionist regime which are the root-causes of insecurity and instability of the region.

Referring to Iran's growing ties with other countries in the region as well as the country's constructive role in strengthening peace and stability in the region and the world, he said Iran's defensive military wargames are normal moves aimed at maintaining the country's combat readiness and upgrading its defense capabilities.

IRGC commander: Armed forces in full combat readiness

Tehran, July 10, IRNA

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Ja'afari said on Thursday that the current military wargames code-named "The Great Prophet" (PBUH) will bring dignity for the country and give an unforgettable lesson to the enemies.

The third phase of the wargames continued with simultaneous test-firing of long and medium range missiles at hypothetical enemies positions.

With new technological changes made in the missiles their range, quality and accuracy have remarkably improved, he said.

"The military wargames have brought us dignity and proved that our military forces are in full combat readiness," he said.

IRGC has always proved that it will spare no efforts to defend the country's territorial integrity, said the commander.

Iran: Maneuvers Show Military Might

TEHRAN (FNA)- July 10, 2008

A senior Iranian commander said the recent military exercise demonstrates only a small part of the country's might in face of threats.

The Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brigadier General Seyed Mohammad Hejazi, described as successful the country's recent military exercise, dubbed The Great Prophet III, and called the maneuvers a defensive tool against invasions, press tv reported.

He added that Iran's armed forces are fully prepared to provide broad security across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that the Islamic Republic is not endangering the interests of the neighboring states.

Hejazi also dismissed claims that Iran's military exercise could harm other countries in the region.

Earlier this week, Iran test-fired its new long and medium-sized missiles in a joint maneuver conducted by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval and ground forces in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The military exercise was in reaction to recent war rhetoric by the US and Israel over Tehran's nuclear program.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Iran of developing a nuclear bomb but Tehran categorically rejects such claims, saying it is exclusively after peaceful nuclear technology.

The US and Israel have so far refused to take the option of military action against Iran off the table. Nevertheless, the US has also suggested that a war against the Islamic Republic could be risky and too dangerous.

Tel Aviv and Washington have recently intensified their threats to launch military action against Iran to make Tehran drop what they allege to be a non-peaceful nuclear program, while a recent report by 16 US intelligence bodies endorsed the civilian nature of Iran's nuclear plans and activities.

Following the US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and similar reports by the IAEA head - one in November and the other one in February - which praised Iran's truthfulness about key aspects of its past nuclear activities and announced settlement of outstanding issues with Tehran, any effort to impose further sanctions or launch military attack on Iran seems to be completely irrational.

The February report by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, praised Iran's cooperation in clearing up all of the past questions over its nuclear program, vindicating Iran's nuclear program and leaving no justification for any new UN sanctions.

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