News Analysis |
Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers with the capability of carrying out various warheads amid escalating tensions with the US. The ballistic missile manufactured by the Defense Ministry was unveiled in a military parade in Tehran on Friday.
The ballistic missile ” Khorramshahr” was displayed in the military parade marking the start of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the missile has been manufactured for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IGRC).
Iran has the wherewithal to join the nuclear club; it also has delivery systems to include the missile which was unveiled today
Brigadier Amir gave out more details about the missiles. He said that the missile can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) within a range of 1,800 kilometers. He further said that the missile has the ability to mount multiple warheads.
Read more: Will Iranian posturing through ballistic tests threaten an arms race in…
The missile was flaunted hours after Iranian President Hasan Rouhani vowed to beef up defense capabilities. Rouhani categorically asserted: “We won’t ask for permission from anybody to defend our land. Iran will boost not only its missile power but also its Ground Force, Navy and Air Force.”
He added that Iran’s military armaments were aimed at achieving deterrence and security not against any other state. The missile has been brought out in the open amid simmering tensions between the countries. Doubts about future of the Iran nuclear deal increased when President Trump flayed the Islamic Republic and the deal in his UNGA address. The 71-year old had said that the deal is an embarrassment and Iran cannot be allowed to continue destabilizing the region.
Rouhani, who signed the deal is also mulling over walking away. Add to the statements of Ayatullah in the scheme of things, the future of the deal is not bright
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in 2015 in a bid to halt Iran’s nuclear program. Despite compliance by Iran, the future of the deal looks bleak with the US trying to link it with Iran’s policies in Syria, Yemen and other parts of the Middle East.
Read more: Trump’s hawkish diplomacy may compel Tehran to go nuclear
Reiterating his earlier statements, President Rouhani took the US head-on while addressing the UNGA. He said that while Iran opened the doors to engagements, others missed the opportunity and imposed sanctions.
He said: “Iran won’t be the first country to violate the agreement but it will respond decisively and resolutely to its violation by any party. Destruction of JCPOA by “rogue” newcomers to the world of politics will never impede Iran’s course of progress and advancement.
As of today, both countries are at loggerheads on various fronts to include those in Iraq, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries and Yemen
The 68-year old Rouhani signed the deal despite severe opposition from hardliners in Iran. However, repeated pressure by President Trump has once again put the deal in real jeopardy. The Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei who had been a harsh critic of the deal when it was signed in 2015 termed Trump’s UNGA address “foolish”.
Read more: Iran may withdraw from the nuclear deal: warns Tehran
“The foolish, very ugly, and ignoble speech of the US president, with its gangster and cowboy language full of sheer lies, is rooted in their anger, frustration, and light-headedness,” Ayatollah Khamenei said while adding that the US nationals must be ashamed of having such a leader.
Destruction of #JCPOA by “rogue” newcomers to the world of politics will never impede Iran’s course of progress and advancement. #UNGA
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 20, 2017
Iran’s defense capacities are only deterrent. Target of Saddam’s ballistic missiles we won’t be victim of irrational aspirants again. #UNGA
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 20, 2017
The US and Iran have a deep-seated hatred for each other since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As of today, both countries are at loggerheads on various fronts to include those in Iraq, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries and Yemen. The nuclear deal is thus far effectively stopping what it was slated to stop.
Destruction of JCPOA by “rogue” newcomers to the world of politics will never impede Iran’s course of progress and advancement
The deal is on the crutches by all means; Trump has no intentions to stick with it as is amply evident by his proclamations. Rouhani, who signed the deal is also mulling over walking away. Add to the statements of Ayatullah in the scheme of things, the future of the deal is not bright.
Read more: Tehran takes exceptions to new sanctions
Iran has the wherewithal to join the nuclear club; it also has delivery systems to include the missile which was unveiled today. Though Iran does not desire to go nuclear it can be pushed into doing so given the very threats that the US poses, including regime change. The deal is perhaps delaying the inevitable; if the deal is abandoned one can foresee Iran being a nuclear state. The ball is now in Trump’s court.