Iran’s display of its underground missile bunkers this week was a pompous and vainglorious exercise which will not send the right signals to its neighbours. Local television channels on Wednesday broadcast pictures from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force of a tunnel reportedly dug some 1,640 feet under a mountain packed full of sinister-looking missiles on their launch vehicles parked along the long tunnel.
The release of this footage came just a few days after the state media reported that Iran had test-fired new generation long-range ballistic missiles. The timing of the broadcast of the missiles makes Tehran’s intentions suspicious, as it comes after the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the West. The nuclear deal has been met with suspicion in the region and there are fears of a resurgent Iran flexing its military muscles. And showcasing the missile stockpile will only add to this fears and lead to an arms race in a region which is surrounded by turmoil.
Iran has always maintained that it has no ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons and that it wants peaceful and harmonious relations with its neighbours. If peace is what it aims at, it should be focusing on measures to allay fears about military plans rather indulge in the opposite. After unveiling the missiles, officials also spoke of future plans. A senior general said the country was completely overhauling its missile technology, replacing the current stockpile with newer weapons. “As of next year, a new and advanced generation of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles will replace the current products,” said Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. The missiles in various ranges are mounted on the launchers in all bases and (are) ready to be launched, he added. He also said the underground facility shown on television was only one of “numerous missile bases” scattered across the country.
According to US and France, the test-firing of the new generation long-range ballistic missiles was in violation of a UN resolution. The UN Security Council Resolution 1929 stipulates that Iran cannot engage in any activities related to ballistic missiles. The test is however not in violation of the nuclear agreement reached in July between Iran, the United States and five other world powers because that agreement is focused on thwarting Iran’s efforts to a nuclear weapon.
Responding to these charges, Iranian officials have said that the missile launch doesn’t violate any UN Security Council resolutions. The missile test is unlikely to result in any tension between Iran and the West as both sides are happy about the nuclear agreement and wouldn’t want to do anything that will sabotage the deal. But Iran has a duty to refrain from actions that will create suspicion among its neighbours.
Iran’s display of its underground missile bunkers this week was a pompous and vainglorious exercise which will not send the right signals to its neighbours. Local television channels on Wednesday broadcast pictures from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force of a tunnel reportedly dug some 1,640 feet under a mountain packed full of sinister-looking missiles on their launch vehicles parked along the long tunnel.
The release of this footage came just a few days after the state media reported that Iran had test-fired new generation long-range ballistic missiles. The timing of the broadcast of the missiles makes Tehran’s intentions suspicious, as it comes after the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the West. The nuclear deal has been met with suspicion in the region and there are fears of a resurgent Iran flexing its military muscles. And showcasing the missile stockpile will only add to this fears and lead to an arms race in a region which is surrounded by turmoil.
Iran has always maintained that it has no ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons and that it wants peaceful and harmonious relations with its neighbours. If peace is what it aims at, it should be focusing on measures to allay fears about military plans rather indulge in the opposite. After unveiling the missiles, officials also spoke of future plans. A senior general said the country was completely overhauling its missile technology, replacing the current stockpile with newer weapons. “As of next year, a new and advanced generation of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles will replace the current products,” said Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. The missiles in various ranges are mounted on the launchers in all bases and (are) ready to be launched, he added. He also said the underground facility shown on television was only one of “numerous missile bases” scattered across the country.
According to US and France, the test-firing of the new generation long-range ballistic missiles was in violation of a UN resolution. The UN Security Council Resolution 1929 stipulates that Iran cannot engage in any activities related to ballistic missiles. The test is however not in violation of the nuclear agreement reached in July between Iran, the United States and five other world powers because that agreement is focused on thwarting Iran’s efforts to a nuclear weapon.
Responding to these charges, Iranian officials have said that the missile launch doesn’t violate any UN Security Council resolutions. The missile test is unlikely to result in any tension between Iran and the West as both sides are happy about the nuclear agreement and wouldn’t want to do anything that will sabotage the deal. But Iran has a duty to refrain from actions that will create suspicion among its neighbours.
