The Islamic Republic fired a dozen missiles on Wednesday, its state-run media reported, as part of a large-scale military exercise. Several short-range missiles were fired, in addition to the long-range Shihab-3 model.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to block Iran's nuclear program continue to be stalled. Russia and China indicate they will not support the draft of a U.N. resolution imposing tough sanctions on Iran for going ahead with its nuclear enrichment program. The draft was drawn up by Britain, France and Germany.
Russia and China, both of which have strong commercial ties with Iran, say the draft is too strong. The United States, on the other hand, says the sanctions called for in the draft are too weak.
The Shihab-3 has a range of some 1,250 miles (2,000 km), placing Israel - and American positions in the region - within range. The missile can easily be outfitted with a nuclear warhead. The Shihab-2 was also tested, with a cluster-bomb warhead. It is capable of breaking into 1,400 bomblets upon impact. Other missiles tested include the Zelzal missiles Hizbullah attempted to fire at Tel Aviv, as well as Scud-B, Zolfaghar-73 and Z-3 missiles.
The tests mark the beginning of ten days of maneuvers being run by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The maneuvers have been named “Great Prophet,” and are taking place throughout the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and various regions inside Iran.
Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi told Iranian television that the exercises were intended to deter attacks on Iran.
The location of the exercises, in the Persian Gulf, is also a clear message in the wake of American military exercises in the same region in recent days. About 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through the gulf.
The US exercises focused on surveillance, involving the tracking and blocking of ships transporting weapons. Taking part in the maneuvers were Australia, Bahrain, Britain, France and Italy.