Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

IRAN DEPLOYS MISSILES ALONG COASTLINE

Iran says it has positioned surface-to-sea missiles and smart missile systems along its coastline. The news comes after Tehran reported earlier this week on the successful trials of its Misaq and Qowsar missiles.

"The missile unit of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps navy force has deployed different kinds of surface-to-sea missiles and smart missile systems across 2,000 kilometers of the Persian Gulf coasts to defend the coastlines and islands against any foreign invasions," said IRGC Commander-in-Chief Maj.-Gen.Yahya Rahim Safavi, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA. Peace will only fully return to the region when foreign forces pull out of Iraq, Safavi added.

Iran says the missile tests included the successful downing of a drone and a surface-to-sea trial, with the target being struck deep in the Gulf of Oman.

The latest additions to Iran's arsenal follow successful trials of its intercontinental Shihab missiles, which bring much of Western Europe into range. Tehran is stressing its weaponry is purely for defensive purposes saying it will not be the initiator of any military action.

By The Media Line Staff on Wednesday, April 05, 2006

http://themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=13293