Archive

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Iranian Responses to American War Scenarios



From PressTV:

Iran's Defense Minister says Tehran has readied a detailed response to any possible war scenario drawn up by the Bush administration. "The current US administration lacks the authority to push for another war in the Middle East," said Major General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar. The top Iranian military official, however, cautioned that 'should they initiate a war on Iran, they would not be the ones ending it'.

Mohammad-Najjar said Tehran can easily predict every approach Washington might consider and has prepared crushing responses in advance. "Iran's Armed Forces are fully prepared to counter any military attack with any intensity and to make the enemy regret initiating any such incursions," the Iranian minister said in an interview with Fars News Agency.

Referring to the Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Ali Turkmani's visit to Tehran last week, Mohammad-Najjar said the defense agreements inked between the two countries were aimed at ensuring the security of regional countries. "Our defense ties with Syria will enable us to counter the threat posed by the Zionist regime and defend against any possible act of aggression," he said. "Israel's shameful defeat from the Hezbollah has exposed all its weaknesses. Should the on-the-verge-of-collapse Israeli regime ever attempt to attack Iran, they would not even withstand our initial reaction," the Iranian general concluded.


A steady stream of defense communiques are coming out of Tehran these days. This one touches on Iranian responses to American war scenarios, and also mentions defense ties with Syria, as a counterweight to potential Israeli aggression against Iran. The General may be suggesting that an American strike could prompt a burst from Iran's missile forces, directed at numerous US military targets in the region. He may also be intimating that open hostilities could develop into an expanded war of attrition, extending possibly onto the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, and generating a second Imposed War.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Iranian Rocket Launchers








Top to bottom:
- 107 mm single barrel rocket launcher
- 107 mm double barrel rocket launcher
- 107 mm 12 barrel rocket launchers
- 122 mm single barrel rocket launcher
- Rocket artillery chart

Iranian Mortars







Top to bottom:
- Fateh 60 mm mortar
- 81 mm HM15 mortar
- 120 mm HM16 mortar
- Mortar bombs
- 81 mm smoke/HE mortar bombs

Iranian Investment in Iraq

From the Washington Times:

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told participants at an international conference attended by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that companies from the Islamic Republic were outpacing most others in the region in their contributions to Iraq's economic development.

"Iranian companies have undertaken some economic projects and public works in Iraq to contribute to the economic development of this country, both in the south and in the north," Mr. Mottaki said at the Stockholm conference.

He did not elaborate on private investment, but he offered more details on Iranian government-funded undertakings in Iraq's railroad, electricity and oil sectors. "To meet Iraq's intense need for electricity, a contract for construction of nine power transmission lines from Iran to Iraq with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts has been signed," he said.


At the same time, Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul Mahdi is in Tehran visiting President Ahmadinejad, for the purpose of discussions on economic issues and services, as well as political and security matters.

No New NIE on Iran

US National Intelligence Deputy Director Donald Kerr said on Thursday that the US intelligence community has no plans to revise the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran anytime soon.

Reuters quotes the official as saying, however, that the current NIE reflects “significant concerns” over Iran’s nuclear intentions that has been overlooked in public debate.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

New Majlis Speaker Warns IAEA

Ali Larijani, Iran’s new Majlis Speaker
Tehran . 28 May 2008 . AFP photo

Iran’s former chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani was sworn in today as the country’s new Majlis speaker. In his acceptance speech, he warned that Iran could set limit on future cooperation with IAEA, the UN nuclear agency. Larijani called IAEA’s latest report on Iran “deplorable.”

IAEA’s unusually blunt report released on Monday had raised serious concerns that Iran was withholding information on its alleged studies and research into the development of nuclear weapons, saying Iran continued to owe the agency “substantial explanations.”

As the new speaker, Larijani is expected to be more vocal than his predecessor on major foreign policy issues facing Iran. His diplomatic acumen during his two-and-half year tenure as the country’s chief nuclear negotiator gives him high credential to influence Iran’s nuclear policy.

The Majlis speaker in Iran is a powerful position. On internal politics, Larijani is expected to questions some of the policies of the current administration, especially regarding the economy. Larijani is widely expected to challenge Ahmadinejad in the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for May 2009. Although a fellow conservative, Larijani is seen as more of a pragmatic than Ahmadinejad.

Iran, Syria Sign Defense Pact

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shaking hands
with Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani
Tehran . 26 May 2008 . AFP photo

Iran and Syria today signed a defense cooperation pact, pledging their mutual support regarding their territorial integrity. IRNA reported that the defense pact also called for the withdrawal of “foreign and occupation forces, which are the source of insecurity and instability in the region.”

The accord was signed in Tehran during the visit of Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani. Its signing comes a week after the revelation of on-going secret talks between Syria and Israel, brokered by Turkey. Reports from Tehran had indicated that President Ahmadinejad was shocked when told of Israeli-Syrian peace talks. The Iranians had expected prior coordination with Tehran on any negotiations with Israel. Syria is Iran’s closest ally in the Arab world.

The visit to Tehran by Syrian defense minister and the signing of the new defense pact were meant to demonstrate the two allies still remained close, despite tensions in their relationship.

Iranian Anti-Tank Gun and Sniper Rifle




Top to bottom:
- Anti-Tank Gun SPG-9
- Nakhjir Sniper Rifle SVD

Iranian Manufactured Assault Rifles







Popular world military assault rifles, manufactured in Iran by AIG.

Top to bottom:
- KL-7.62.39
- G3-A4
- KH 2002
- G3-A3
- S-5.56

Note: Designations provided by manufacturer. Licensing status for manufacture of these rifles is questionable.

Fadjr MLRS and Nazeat Rocket







Top to bottom:
- Fadjr-3 Multiple Launch Rocket System
- Fadjr-5 MLRS
- Fadjr brochure
- Nazeat-6 Rocket
- Nazeat brochure

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Raad Self-Propelled Howitzer





Top to bottom:
- Raad on transport at 2007 Military Day in Tehran
- Raad-1 self-propelled 122 mm howitzer
- Raad-2 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer

Bush May Plan to Bomb Iran by August

From Asia Times:

The George W Bush administration plans to launch an air strike against Iran within the next two months, an informed source tells Asia Times Online, echoing other reports that have surfaced in the media in the United States recently.

Two key US senators briefed on the attack planned to go public with their opposition to the move, according to the source, but their projected New York Times op-ed piece has yet to appear.

The source, a retired US career diplomat and former assistant secretary of state still active in the foreign affairs community, speaking anonymously, said last week that that the US plans an air strike against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The air strike would target the headquarters of the IRGC's elite Quds force. With an estimated strength of up to 90,000 fighters, the Quds' stated mission is to spread Iran's revolution of 1979 throughout the region.


It appears the Bush Administration may be seeking direct hostilities with Iran. Launching a third war so close to the end of the term would be a remarkable step. The war aim would probably be to demonstrate military power and weaken Iran's conventional military forces. It would be an extremely risky move by the United States. As has been demonstrated, wars are unpredictable, especially wars that are not thoroughly thought out or waged not for a decisive outcome.

Car Bomb Explosion in West Tehran

A car bomb shatters an area in West Tehran
26 May 2008 . Fars photo

Fars News Agency is reporting today that a car bomb exploded in West Tehran on Monday. There were no reports of casualties. A number of buildings in the area were damaged.

No one has claimed responsibility for the car bomb. The authorities reported late today that one person has been arrested in connection with the bombing.

Car bombs are very rare in Iran.

IAEA: Iran Withholding Nuclear Information

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) raised serious concerns in its latest report on Monday that Iran is withholding information on the “alleged studies.” The term is used by IAEA in reference to research allegedly undertaken in Iran to build nuclear weapons.

“The alleged studies remain a matter of serious concern. Clarification of these is critical to an assessment of the nature of Iran's past and present nuclear program,” IAEA said in its report. “Substantive explanations are required from Iran to support its statements on the alleged studies and on other information with a possible military dimension.”

IAEA Chief Mohammad ElBaradei announced last month that Iran had agreed to answer allegations that it studied how to design nuclear bombs, calling the agreement a “milestone.”

Iranian officials were criticized by conservatives for the agreement. The influential publisher and editor of Keyhan, Hossein Shariatmadari, had warned Iranian officials against “falling into the trap” set by the US and Israel for them to commit to negotiations over “alleged studies.”

The collapse of Iran-IAEA talks and IAEA’s latest report would add to the tensions surrounding the Iranian nuclear program.

Iranian RPG-7: Launchers and Warheads







Top to bottom:
- Iranian RPG-7
- Improved RPG launchers
- Nafez 40 mm anti-tank rocket
- Saegheh 40 mm anti-personnel rocket
- 40 mm tandem warhead anti-tank rocket

Monday, May 26, 2008

Admiral Sayyari Comments on Iranian Naval Doctrine



From PressTV:

Iran's navy commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's military doctrine rests on preventive defense strategies.

Addressing navy students on Monday, Adm. Sayyari said only a strong naval force could vigorously defend national interests against the enemy.

Pointing to Iran's outstanding military might, the Iranian commander said, "Today the Islamic Republic's Naval Forces enjoy a high level of defensive and offensive capabilities".

He added that under the guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian navy had reached a level of self-sufficiency in producing its required technology.

The imposition of sanctions on Iran has encouraged a campaign for self-sufficiency in the country's defense industry.


What the Admiral is pointing out is that Iran's defense is based on deterrence, and that a relatively strong and naval presence is required in the Persian Gulf to protect Iran's national interest. He also points out the ability of the Iranian defense industry to equip the IRIN with indigenously manufactured weapon systems such as missile boats and anti-ship missiles.

Revolutionary Guard War Games











Video from the IRGC's second "nabie akram" drill from 2006. Each video represents a consecutive day of the military exercise.

Panha 2091 Iranian Helicopter






The Panha 2091 is an Iranian overhaul and upgrade of the Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra light-attack helicopters purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The overhaul and upgrade program is known as project number 2091 of the Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (Panha). Reported upgrades include: new cockpit armoured panels, new Iranian-designed canopy, new avionics, nose mounted camera, new cockpit design.

Iranian Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Pt. 2







Top to bottom:
- Raad ATGM
- Tosan 1 (Copy of Konkurs, AT-5)
- Toophan-1
- Toophan-2
- Toophan launcher

Carter: Israel Has 150 Nuclear Weapons

Former US President Jimmy Carter has said Israel holds at least 150 nuclear weapons, the first time a US president has publicly acknowledged the Jewish state's atomic arsenal.

“The U.S. has more than 12,000 nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union (Russia) has about the same, Great Britain and France have several hundred, and Israel has 150 or more. We have a phalanx of enormous weaponry ... not only of enormous weaponry but of rockets to deliver those missiles on a pinpoint accuracy target,” Carter said during a press conference in Wales on Sunday [Reuters UK, 26 May].

Israeli officials have never admitted the existence of nuclear weapons, although their existence has been widely assumed.

Iran-Turkey Gas Pipeline Explosion

Turkey stopped the flow of Iranian natural gas imports early on Monday after Kurdish rebels launched an attack overnight on the only gas pipeline connecting the two countries.

“There was an explosion on the Iran-Turkey natural gas line about 13 kilometers from ... the border on May 26 at 12:45 am, and the supply of gas from Iran has been temporarily stopped,” an Iranian spokesman said [Reuters, 26 May].

“The intensity of the explosion in the forty-inch pipeline was so massive that the flash from the explosion could be seen at the Bazargan border post, and the resulting boom could be heard at Iranian border regions close to the pipeline,” said Ebadollah Ghanbari, spokesman for the National Iranian Gas Company.

Anniversary of the Liberation of Khorramshahr







Photos from the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr, a battlefield victory during the Imposed War.