Iran strengthens the IRGC Navy with missiles with a range of 1,000 km as the US deploys F-35 stealth fighter jets to the Middle East. Photo/REUTERS
TEHERAN – Iran has strengthened the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy with drones and missiles with a range of 1,000 km.
This step was taken after the United States (US) last month announced the deployment of F-35 and F-16 stealth fighter jets to protect commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Various types of drones…and several hundred cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 300 to 1,000 km are among the systems and equipment added to the Guards Navy’s capabilities today,” wrote Iran’s state news agency, IRNASaturday (5/8/2023), citing a local military decision.
Earlier this week, Washington said it would offer to put armed sailors and Marines on commercial ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz after a series of seizures of ships by Iranian forces.
Last month, the Pentagon announced it was sending F-35 stealth fighter jets and additional F-16 aircraft, along with warships to the Middle East. Its mission is to monitor the traffic of one-fifth of the world’s crude oil in the Strait of Hormuz, the waters between Iran and Oman.
Tehran usually argues commercial vessels detained have committed shipping violations. Some have been released only after foreign countries freed detained Iranian ships.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri told state television that the new missiles have better precision as well as a longer range.
“Cruise missiles can engage multiple targets simultaneously and commands can be changed after takeoff,” he was quoted as saying Reuters.
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2023-08-05 14:25:00
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