Transcript
This week, Iranian official sources announced that Iran has started to arm the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps artilleries with state-of-the-art smart munitions and cluster shells, to which IRGC forces would “overwhelm invaders with their fire power.”
Iran’s current missile system of Shahab-1, Shahab-2, and the new No Dong (North Korea) rockets are capable of firing deep into Europe.
Stopping the Islamic Republic from developing nuclear missiles of this reach is the basis of the debate over Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
The Shahab missiles, according to Iran’s military officials are aimed at Israel, ready to retaliate should Israel decide to launch a preemptive strike.
“Israel is located entirely within our reach of our missiles. Our missile power is such that the Zionist regime, despite all its capabilities, would not be able to confront us.”
Since the late 1980’s, Iran has invested billions of dollars into its own missile shield. In 2006, in a $700 million deal with Russia, Iran purchased twenty-nine Tor M-1 missiles, with capabilities said to be “far superior” over its counterpart, the American Patriot system.
The system works like this: A mobile group led by a command center is connected to the radar system, once the radar picks up the incoming missile, it is relayed to the launcher, which fires a missile – destroying the incoming threat.
Iran has surrounded its major cities with this defense system – believing they are near invincible with it.
"If the enemies, particularly Israel and its American backers, adopt a language of force against Iran, they can be sure that they will receive a strong slap on the face from Iran," Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University Friday Prayer.
In response to the embargoes imposed on Iran over its nuclear program, it has launched a campaign for self-sufficiency in their defense industry. Under the international shadow of nuclear enrichment, Iran has developed a top of the line missile program.
Israel has responded by upgrading its own missile defense program – Arrow – and purchasing more missiles from the U.S. The U.S. and E.U. have responded to this “threat” by starting the planned radar and missile shield in Eastern Europe.
Yet, General Mahmoud Chaharbaghi, missile command of the IRGC, insists that if attacked, Iran could respond by firing up to 11,000 rockets within the first minute.
