IRAN ANNOUNCED yesterday it successfully test-fired a medium-range Shahab-3 missile, raising the stakes ahead of crucial talks with the US and other world powers in Geneva this week.
Tehran insisted the test-firing of the upgraded missile, part of military exercises by the Revolutionary Guard Corps, had nothing to do with the growing international furore over the latest revelations about its nuclear programme.
Although the missile has a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), theoretically putting both Israel and US bases in the Gulf within its reach, Iranian officials also said the missile’s launch was meant to be “defensive and pre-emptive” and was not intended to threaten neighbouring states.
But it drew a concerned reaction in western capitals. The US called the missile test-firings “provocative”.
Javier Solana, the European foreign policy chief, expressed concern about the latest test launch and said: “Everything that is done in that context is a concern.”
The UK foreign office said it sent the wrong signal to the international community when Iran was due to meet the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany on Thursday to discuss its nuclear programme.
Iran has said any discussion in Geneva of its nuclear “rights” is off limits. It insists its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful.
The latest Shahab-3 test, together with test-firings of shorter-range missiles on Sunday, followed the revelation that Iran was building a second uranium enrichment plant near Qom.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied the plant was a secret facility and said Tehran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency about it in due time. If the Iranian side refuses to address concerns about its nuclear programme in Geneva, western diplomats have warned it will face tougher sanctions.
Russia made no immediate official comment on the latest missile test. However, the Interfax News Agency quoted a foreign ministry source as urging restraint: “We should not give way to emotions now. We should try to calm down and the main thing is to launch a productive negotiations process.”
“We will have two months of very interesting bargaining,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of Russia in Global Affairs, a Moscow journal. He said it was possible that Russia would allow additional sanctions to go through as long as they did not include a ban on military or nuclear co-operation.
“In terms of political and symbolic pressure I think Russia might endorse this, but if the question is cutting all possibilities for business then I doubt it.” – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009)
Military capability
Armed forces:
Iran has more than 523,000 personnel in active service. Maj Gen Ataollah Salehi is armed forces chief.
Army:
The army comprises about 350,000 men, including 220,000 conscripts. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has another 125,000 men.
In 2004 the army was organised in four corps, with four armoured divisions and six infantry divisions.
There are 1,600 tanks including some 100 Zulfiqar main battle tanks. A large number of tanks are elderly British-made Chieftains and US-made M-60s.
There are about 640 armoured personnel carriers and 8,196 artillery pieces.
Missiles:
In a 2007 parade, Iran showed its Shahab 3 missile, saying it could travel 2,000km – enabling it to hit Israel and US bases in the region. The Ghadr 1 can reach targets 1,800km (1,100 miles) away. In November 2008, Iran said it test-fired a Sejil missile with a range close to 2,000km.
Navy:
There are 18,000 naval personnel, three Russian Kilo class submarines, three frigates and two corvettes.
As of 2001 the regular Iranian navy was in a state of overall obsolescence, and in poor shape because it had not been equipped with modern ships and weapons. The readiness of the three frigates is doubtful, and the two almost 40-year-old corvettes do not have sophisticated weapons.
In late 2007 Iran launched a new locally made submarine and a navy frigate named as Jamaran. Jane’s Defence Weekly has reported it was also building missile-launching frigates.
Air force:
The air force has some 30,000 personnel and 319 combat aircraft. However, serviceability may be as low as about 60 per cent for US aircraft types and 80 per cent for Russian aircraft. In September 2007, Iran said it had tested two new jet fighters.
– (Reuters)