Iran missile test sends message to US, Israel
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - July 9, 2008 The launches sparked strong U.S criticism and a jump in oil
prices - underlining fears Iran might seal off the Strait of
Hormuz, the Gulf waterway through which 40 percent of the world's
crude passes, if military conflict does break out.
The tests of the long- and medium-range missiles did not appear
to mark a significant advance in Iran's missile capability -
similar ones have been tested previously. But the timing and
location were clearly aimed to send a message, coming as Iran has
sharply stepped up the tone of its warnings of retaliation if
attacked. This week, a top official of Iran's Revolutionary Guards,
Ali Shirazi, warned Tel Aviv would be "set on fire" in any
Iranian retaliation.
The tests took place amid a military exercise that Iran has been
conducting in the Hormuz strait, where Tehran has threatened to
block oil traffic in response to any U.S. or Israeli military
action.
Iran has long warned it would strike back for any attack against
it. But it has sharpened its rhetoric since Israel's military sent
warplanes over the eastern Mediterranean in June for a large
military exercise that U.S. officials described as a possible
rehearsal for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Gen. Hossein Salami, the Revolutionary Guards air force
commander, said Iran's war games this week - code-named "Noble
Prophet" - "demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies who
in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language," state
TV reported.
"Hundreds and maybe thousands of missiles are ready to be fired
at specified targets," he said. "A small part of our defense
options was put on display for the world today. Our real reaction
against enemy threats will be quicker and stronger."
The West needs to "assess Iran's might accurately," he added.
State TV aired footage of at least six missiles being fired
simultaneously, and said the barrage included a new version of the
Shahab-3 missile, which officials have said has a range of 1,250
miles and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead. That would
put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan
within striking distance. The TV report did not say whether the
test took place near the Hormuz strait.
The U.S. Defense Department said it was studying the test to
determine exactly what was launched and what it shows about
Tehran's missile capabilities.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Wednesday's tests
"evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one."
"Those who say that there is no Iranian missile threat against
which we should build a missile defense system perhaps ought to
talk to the Iranians about their claims," Rice said while
traveling in Sofia, Bulgaria.
On Tuesday, Rice and Czech counterpart Karel Schwarzenberg
signed a deal allowing the U.S. to base a missile defense shield in
the Czech Republic.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the test bolsters the U.S.
argument that Tehran is a threat and a missile defense system is
needed in Europe.
A White House spokesman called the tests "completely
inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world" and said they
further isolate the country.
Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly
seek to gain the trust of the world," said Gordon Johndroe,
spokesman for the National Security Council, speaking from Japan
where President Bush is attending the Group of Eight summit.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Iran's
missile tests highlight the need for direct diplomacy as well as
tougher threats of economic sanctions and strong incentives to
persuade Tehran to change its behavior.
John McCain, the Republican seeking the presidency, said the
tests demonstrate a need for effective missile defense, including
missile defense in Europe and the defense system the U.S. plans
with the Czech Republic and Poland. Oil prices rose Wednesday on
news of the tests, along with a U.S. government report showing
crude stockpiles fell more than expected. Light, sweet crude for
August delivery rose $1.50 to $137.54 a barrel in early afternoon
trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Israeli defense officials said there were no major surprises in
the latest Iranian missile tests. The officials said they appeared
to be more of an exercise in psychological warfare than a
breakthrough in military technology.
"Israel does not desire hostility and conflict with Iran,"
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said. "But it is clear
that the Iranian nuclear program and the Iranian ballistic missile
program is a matter of grave concern."
The test could also be aimed to show the West there cannot be a
military solution to the standoff with Iran over its nuclear
ambitions. Iran denies U.S. accusations it seeks to build nuclear
weapons, and earlier this week it sent a response to a Western
package of economic incentives aimed at pushing it to halt uranium
enrichment. EU officials have said they are still evaluating the
response, but Tehran has insisted it will not suspend enrichment.
Iranian leaders have said they don't believe the U.S. or Israel
will attack, citing U.S. problems in Iraq and the effect on already
soaring oil prices. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday called
the idea of an attack a "funny joke."
But at the same, Iran has been more vocal in warning of the
fallout of any U.S. or Israeli strike.
The semi-official Fars news agency, which is believed to be
close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported details on the missiles
tested Wednesday, saying they included a "newly upgraded"
Shahab-3, first tested in its longest-range version in 2004.
The Shehab-3 tested Wednesday has been designed with a
"cluster" warhead, that allows it to release multiple bombs over
a wider area, Fars said, without elaborating. It also boasts a more
accurate navigational system that allows a control room to bring
the missile back on route if it strays or destroy it if it goes too
far off course, it said.
The other missiles tested included the Zelzal, versions of which
have a range of 130-185 miles, and the Fateh, with a range of 105
miles.