Iran successfully carried out a multiple launch of ballistic missiles. This is what is communicated by the Guard Corps of the Islamic Revolution.
We demonstrated - reads the official website of the IRGC - the deterrent power of Iran and the ability of the Islamic Republic to face any threat to the state and sovereignty of the country.
The missiles would have been launched from different areas of Iran. The tests carried out may have violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, which prohibits Iran from undertaking any work on nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Iran has always denied any link between ballistic missiles and the nuclear program, which has been under the control of the international community since last January after the agreements signed on 14 July. Free from the nuclear program, the one dedicated to intermediate missiles is considered fundamental and immune (according to Tehran) to United Nations controls. Iranian officials have always stressed that "the defense of the country cannot be influenced by the nuclear agreement signed with the world powers last July 14 with the resolution of the United Nations Security Council".
The last missile test Emad dates back to 11 October last. Believed to be a variant of the Shahab-3 (based on the North Korean Nodong), it features a new advanced guidance and control system which would make it Iran's first intermediate-range precision ballistic missile.
Precisely on the new missile, the defense ministry comment was clear: "To strengthen our defense, we must not ask anyone's permission and the new 'Emad' is a clear example of our developing programs." The Guard Corps of the Islamic Revolution claims to be “capable of building missiles con a range of 2000 km with a zero margin of error ".
Beyond the rhetoric, on the system Emad very little is known. It should be a medium-range liquid fuel ballistic missile with a range of 1700 kilometers. The most significant datum, if this were really the case, concerns the new re-entry system equipped, according to the Iranians, with "advanced controls that would guarantee greater precision". Its liquid propellant, however, requires refueling before launch - a long, dangerous process that leaves you vulnerable to enemies. Its GPS satellite guidance, on the other hand, is based on the American network. The latter, in the event of an attack, could be overshadowed by the Pentagon.
Therefore, Iran could likely rely on Russian GLONASS. Finally, the conventional warhead remains considerable, even if such a weapon makes very little sense if not equipped with a nuclear warhead. The fact that Iran presents theEmad as a missile for conventional use, it does not prejudice a possible conversion for the transport of nuclear warheads.
(photo: IRNA)
