Iran Fires Missiles in Drill Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran says it has tested advanced anti-ship missiles in the final day of a naval drill near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for one-fifth of the world's oil supply. State TV says "Ghader", or "Capable", a missile with a range of 200 kilometers (120 miles), was among the weapons used Tuesday. It says the weapon can destroy warships. The Tuesday report said the navy also used another anti-ship missile dubbed Noor, or Light. The five-day naval maneuvers are Iran's latest show of strength in the face of mounting pressures over its disputed nuclear program. The West suspects it may be aimed at producing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. Iran has threatened to close the strait over Western sanctions but has not repeated the threats lately.

Report: Iran test-fires missiles in naval drill near strategic Strait of Hormuz

December 31, 2012

AP - Iran’s navy said Monday it test-fired a range of weapons during ongoing maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

IRNA quoted Adm. Amir Rastgari, spokesman for the exercise, as saying the Iranian-made air defense system Raad, or Thunder, was among the weapons tested, along with various torpedoes and underwater and surface-to-surface rockets as well as anti-ship missiles. The Islamic Republic said it also deployed domestically-made hovercraft during the operation.

The Raad system was on show during a military parade in Tehran in September for the first time. Iran says is more advanced than its Russian predecessor and is designed to confront fighter jets, cruise missiles, smart bombs, helicopters and drones. Iran said the system fires missiles with a range of 50 kilometers (30 miles), capable of hitting targets at 22,000 meters (75,000 feet).

Tehran has tried to build a self-sufficient military program since 1992. It frequently announces technological breakthroughs, most of which cannot be confirmed independently.

Iran’s military leaders have recently said they believe future wars will be air- and sea-based and Tehran has sought to upgrade its air defense systems and naval power in anticipation of such a possibility.

The drill began on Friday and ends on Wednesday, one of a number of exercises Iran holds annually.

The maneuvers come as the West increases its pressure over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has said in the past it might close the strait over Western sanctions or military threats against its nuclear facilities, but has stepped back from those threats in recent months.

Both the United States and Israel have not ruled out a military strike against Iran’s nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at weapons development.

Iran denies the charge, insisting its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes like power generation and cancer treatment.