Iran fears that the US will launch a sudden air strike on its nuclear facilities. In the last few days a lot of statements have emanated from Iran about longer range missiles and submarines being developed by it. These are a sort of sabre rattling by the Iranians. ‘Keep off us or we can do a lot of harm”, seems to be the message from Iranian leaders to the US.
Latest reports say Iran claims that it has developed on its own the Ghadir submarines, which can evade sonar. In April, 2006, it had claimed that it had made super fast underwater missiles that no ship could outrun. Now many of such Iranian claims must be taken with a pinch of salt. It could be exaggerated bluster to thwart US military action.
But there is no doubt that Iran has in the last few years tried to enhance its military capabilities. The Russians have obliged by providing air-to-air anti-aircraft missiles. Pakistan’s infamous scientist A. Q. Khan led a helping hand by giving it centrifuges for its nuclear programmes. China too, though perhaps secretly, has has been a friend.
Though most military experts say that most of the Iranian weapons are out dated and antiquated, the increasing missile capacity is worrying. The country has missiles that can hit targets 2000 kilometers away. In other words it could easily hit US positions in Iraq. And it could hit Israel.
Even with its so called relatively ancient submarines, underwater missiles, fighters and warships it could create havoc amongst the crucial sea traffic in the gulf.
