BBC
Iran has test-fired what it called a new version of the Shahab-3
missile, which is capable of reaching its main regional enemy Israel,
state media say.
The missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was one of
nine launched from a remote desert site.
Iran has tested the Shahab-3 before, but the latest launch comes amid
rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear
programme.
The US denounced the test and called on Iran to abandon its missile
programme.
Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to
gain the trust of the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe
said.
'Aggressive language'
The aim of the early morning launch of the "upgraded" Shahab-3 missile
was to demonstrate Iran's "determination and power to the enemies who
have used aggressive language during recent weeks", state media
re****ted.
"We are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," said the
commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brigadier General
Hoseyn Salami.
- - - - -
This new missile can reach as far as Greece, Egypt and
central India and would be capable of carrying a nuclear
warhead.
Israel and Iran keep slam-dancing with each other. My
suspicions are that Israel will try to attack Irans
main nuclear facilities just after the US elections ...
and then we, as good allies, will be obligated to
"protect them from Iranian retailiation" - meaning
we'd use the excuse to also attack and partially
occupy Iran.
We'd HAVE to occupy the sprit of land on the east side
of the entrance to the Persian gulf so Iran couldn't
block tanker traffic. Otherwise, even simple artillery
fire from there could be used to completely halt all
oil ****pments from the region.
My other suspicion, given Irans ballsey language over
the past years, is that they have a secret ace in the
hole they could use in the event of war. This could
even be a few nuclear weapons bought from the Russian
black market ... or at least component parts they've
finally put together into working weapons. Much of
their rhetoric of late has that "We just DARE you !"
character that demands great caution.
Nobody HAS to attack Iran ... even IF it plans to make
(more ?) nuclear weapons. It's a matter of how they
would subsequently USE such leverage - in a defense
posture, as blackmail or in a martyrdom attack against
Israel and/or others.
Having nukes gives them automatic member****p in the
Big-Boys Club ... and that means the M.A.D. doctrine
applies. Non-defensive use of nukes would spell instant
obliteration and they'd damned well better understand
that fact. Few would cry if Tehran was turned into
a big puddle of glass ....
|
