More Iranian Missile Tests - US will “Defend Allies”: Rice
In response to more missile tests having taken place in Iran, the United States has asserted that it will not delay in defending both its own interests and those of nations allied to it.
US Military Capabilities
Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, described how security in the area had grown, adding that Iran should have no doubts over the military capabilities of the US.
Missile Launches
On July 9th, Iran carried out a series of nine missile test-launches, with additional trials having subsequently taken place. Among them, said the Iranian military, was the initial night launch of the Shahab-3 missile – touted as having a 2,000 kilometre range that, potentially, would make it able to strike Israel.
Israel’s Eitam Surveillance Aircraft
Israel’s response has been to showcase a new surveillance aircraft, capable – it said – of monitoring Iran. A product of Israel Aerospace Industries, the Eitam – first unveiled in 2007 – features high-tech data-gathering technology, according to its manufacturer.
US Security in Gulf
Ms Rice’s comments were made while in Georgia.
“We take very strongly our obligation to defend our allies and we intend to do that”, she said.
"In the Gulf area, the United States has enhanced its security capacity, its security presence and we are working closely with all our allies... to make [sure] they are capable of defending themselves."
Iran Criticised over Launches
The additional Iranian missile launches seem to stand as a further defiance of the widespread criticism generated by the Wednesday firings.
Ms Rice urged the country to get “...on the right side of the international community.”
The test-launches served to highlight Iran’s “resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language", Brigadier General Hoseyn Salami – head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards – said.
The Iranian press quoted Salami as having also commented: "Our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready for launch."
Source – Armed Forces International’s Middle East Correspondent
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