. | . |
Iran shows off underground ballistic missile bunker by Ryan Maass Washington (UPI) Jan 6, 2016
Iran broadcast footage on state-owned television showing a ballistic missile bunker in a move that may further strain tensions in the region and with the West. The video shows Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani and Revolutionary Guard officers inspecting the Emad precision-guided missile. The missile, which has a claimed range of over 1,000 miles, has been a target of Western criticism of Iran's nuclear program. The video release comes as the United States and its Western allies remain critical of Iran's nuclear program, saying the country violated a U.N. mandate by test-firing a ballistic missile in October. According to U.N. officials, the ballistic missile in question is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Despite U.S. threats of more economic sanctions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the Defense Ministry to expand the country's ballistic missile program. Under the agreement, Iran is prohibited from carrying out work designed to carry nuclear warheads. Iran maintains ballistic missiles are conventional weapons, therefore not designed to carry nuclear warheads even if they are capable of delivering them. However, the U.N. resolution that authorized the deal also prohibits the country from testing ballistic weapons until it goes into effect. With the easing of sanctions under the agreement, Iran is set to return to the oil market. Tensions have spiked recently between longtime rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, both key members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries at odds over production levels. Saudi Arabia and its allies in the region have cut diplomatic ties with Iran following an attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran in response to the Sunni kingdom's recent execution of more than 40 people, including prominent Shiite cleric Nirm al-Nimr.
Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |