IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Salami. (Fars News)
Iran is pursuing its aggressive military build-up, while the world squanders its time in panels and discussions.
Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami announced the IRGC’s operational units have been supplied with large numbers of Iran’s new precision-guided long-range ballistic missile, Emad.
“Emad missile systems were delivered to the IRGC operational units,” Salami told Iran’s Fars News Agency on Monday.
He also said the missile will likely be used in the upcoming IRGC wargames.
On October 11, Iran successfully test-fired the country’s new precision-guided long-range ballistic missile that can be controlled until the moment of impact. Emad carries a conventional warhead, and Iran denies it can carry a nuclear warhead.
“This missile (Emad) which has been fully designed and made by Iranian Defense Ministry’s scientists and experts is the country’s first long-range missile with navigation and strike controlling capability; it is capable of hitting and destroying the targets with high-precision,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan told reporters after the successful Emad missile test.
The missile has a range of at least 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and up to 1,300 kilometers, and a payload of at least 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and up to 1,400 kilograms (3,086 pounds).
The UN Security Council (UNSC) determined earlier this month that the test was a violation of its resolutions passed after the signing of the nuclear deal with Tehran in July.
The UNSC also said said it has not yet investigated a subsequent Iranian ballistic missile launch.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan. (Tasnim News Agency)
Dehqan reiterated that the manufacture and successful testing of the Emad missile is a technological and operational jump in a strategic field and said, “We don’t ask for anyone’s permission for boosting our defense and missile power; we resolutely continue our defense programs, specially in the missile field, and the Emad missile is a conspicuous example.”
He added that the mass production and delivery of Emad missiles to the country’s armed forces will considerably increase their power and tactical capabilities.
The Iranian Armed Forces have also recently test-fired different types of newly-developed missiles and weaponry during massive military drills.
Iran claims that its military development is for defense purposes only.
However, many of these weapons were given to the Hezbollah terror organization and used against Israel’s civilian population during the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to use its missiles against Israel.
In the meantime, world powers have been dithering in their response to Iran’s violation of the sanctions and have so far satisfied themselves with rhetoric.
