On the 23^rd September 2007 a stark warning was issued by Iran, in which it advised America against attacking the Middle East nation. Included within this was the statement that US forces deployed locally were capable of being reached by missiles of Iranian origin. This was confirmed by the Iranian Military Advisor Yahya Rahim Safavi, who said: "Today, the United States must know that their 200,000 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are within the reach of Iran's fire". As detailed by the Iranian news agency Mehr, he added: "When the Americans were beyond our shores, they were not within our reach but today it is very easy for us to deal them blows".

Mr Safavi’s comments coincided with the commencement of Iran’s yearly defence week. The festivities began on Saturday 22^nd September, with a military parade through the Iranian capital, Tehran. The parade provided a chance to view a new, extended-range missile capable of striking Israel.  

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, featured in televised news coverage – his comments their first of their kind since Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, issued his own warning – several days ago – in respect of potential war involving Iran. Mr Khamenei stated that any form of conflict launched on his country would not just be a straightforward “hit and run”. He continued: "Anyone who launches an aggression will seriously suffer the consequences of this aggression": words that were strengthened a day later by Mohammed Reza Bahonar, the Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker, who added: "Any military attack against Iran will send the region up in flames."

Despite the US’ repeated insistence of wanting to deal with Iran in a diplomatic way, both it and Israel have yet to fully rule out the prospect of military action.

The missile showcased on Saturday is known as ‘Ghadr-1’ (translated as “Power”). Western military analysts have since highlighted their prior knowledge of the device and its development.

An Iranian official, speaking to the media, cited the Ghadr-1’s range as 1,800 kilometres – making in capable of reaching Israel, in addition to Middle East-located US military bases. Complete with a so-called “baby bottle” nose – designed to improve its performance in the air, the Ghadr is regarded as an uprated derivation of the current Shahab family of missiles. Previously, the Shahab was thought to be able of reaching a target 2,000 kilometres away. However, at the parade, its range was cited as 1,300 kilometres.

Referring to the new weaponry, Mr Safavi stated: "Our power in ballistic missiles is not of a kind that the Americans can easily destroy. We have taken the necessary measures to protect our ballistic power in the face of enemy threats."

As reported in-depth in previous Armed Forces International News Items, tensions are growing regarding Iran’s Nuclear Programme - the US purporting it is masking the construction of nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its purpose is purely energy-based. The current concerns emanating from the Western World, concerning potential conflict to come, were brushed aside by Mr Khamenei, who stated: "they talk like an illiterate person who is showing their biceps and fists against a learned person."

Iran remains adamant that it will not instigate military action, but that it would respond rapidly and devastatingly, should the need occur.

Source – Armed Forces International’s Middle East Correspondent

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