Iran Moves to Protect Sovereignty
Military Exercises Set to Raise Security Concerns In The Middle East
Dec 2, 2008
With recent upgrades to the Naval Base in Asalouyeh and the now online base facilities in the port of Jask, Iran is investing heavily in their ability to counter any military operation from a foreign country on their soil.
Iran's embedded nuclear facilities, long range tactical missile silos and shore based anti-ship missiles have long been the highlighted centrepieces in the logistical planning of potential military operations against Iran in the event of an open conflict.
The United States 5th Fleet that is currently on deployment in the Persian Gulf could stand to be directly targeted in retaliation attacks should the delicate situation in the Gulf escalate. Top Iranian Army commander Major General Ayatollah Saleh is quoted last Sunday on Presstv Nov 30 as saying "the heavy weight of the enemy warships provides the Iranian side with an ideal opportunity for launching successful counter-attacks"
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are focusing highly on the US commitment to regional security and ensuring a balance is maintained within the often volatile Gulf region. Iran, well aware of the US Naval presence in the area is currently in the final stages of planning the extensive naval and military exercise 'Unity 87' due to commence in December 2008.
The high profile exercise is set to include destroyers, missile boats, submarines, helicopters, fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) bringing the total number of participating combat vessels to 60. Iran will seek to accomplish a number of designated military objectives that include dealing with a potential Israeli and US threat, closing the Strait of Hormuz to local and international shipping and the testing of new and improved military assets.
Over the past two years Iran has developed a complex and detailed domestic weapons procurement program aimed at locally supplying military forces. With the successful development of over 109 different types of advanced military equipment to supply both naval and land forces, Unity 87 will provide a perfect platform for detailed testing and evaluation of Iran’s latest military assets.
Although unclear at the present time, the Unity 87 exercise may see the return of medium and long range ballistic missile testing, a program which has been openly denounced by the United States and their regional partners in the Middle East. Spokesman at the Pentagon Bryan Whitman is quoted in AFP November 12 as saying “The United States believes Iran is developing an extended version of the Shahab-3 ballistic missile that could strike our allies in the Middle East as well as Southeastern Europe”.
The United States and Israel have continued to pledge their support for a diplomatic resolve to Iran’s ballistic missile testing and uranium enrichment activities.
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