Article

2006-08-20 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Iran test-fired 10 surface-to-surface short-range missiles on Sunday, a day after it launched a series of large-scale military exercises throughout the country, state-run television reported. The Saegheh missile had a range of between 50 and 150 miles, the report said. It did not specify whether the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, but it was not believed to be.

State-run television said the missile was built based on domestic know-how, although outside experts say much of the country's missile technology originated from other countries.

Iran said it launched the new military exercises Saturday to introduce a new defensive doctrine.

"We have to be prepared against any threat and we should be a role model for other countries," local newspapers quoted army spokesman Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, as saying earlier this week.

The military exercises come as Iran faces heightened international scrutiny because of its contentious nuclear program and for supporting the guerrilla group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution last month calling for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by Aug. 31 or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

more on recent Iranian missile advances at the link

Posted by lotp 2006-08-20 15:40|| || Front Page|| [17 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The Saegheh is a member of the Iran Aerospace Industries Organizaton (AIO) family of products which is subordinate to the Sanam Industrial Group also known as "Department 140 of the Defense Industries Organization (DIO).

Their product line includes: missiles, rocket launchers, gyroscopes, bombs, and mortars; research, design, development, manufacturing, construction, and implementation of missile and aerospace projects; supplying non-military items and services such as fuel pumps, technical and engineering services, and research and development.

Please update your target folders with the following facility location geo data:

Latitude 35 degrees 47' North, longitude 51 degrees 30' East; 12.7km northeast of Tehran; province of Tehran.

Thank you Google.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-08-20 16:55|| 2006-08-20 16:55|| Front Page Top

#2 Short range? Not to residents of Tel Aviv.

Posted by Snease Shaiting3550 2006-08-20 17:12|| 2006-08-20 17:12|| Front Page Top

#3 It is part of a "multifaceted response".

Like two faced.

Posted by newc">newc 2006-08-20 20:43|| 2006-08-20 20:43|| Front Page Top

#4 And what response is Tehran going to give once it and 40 other cities are glowing embers? Lots of bragadoccio, but little connect with reality. Remember the "Highway of Death"? Want to see it again?

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-08-20 21:32|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-08-20 21:32|| Front Page Top