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Warning fired as Iran boosts navy
IRAN kicked off mass production of two classes of high-speed missile-launching assault boats today, warning its enemies not to "play with fire" as it boosts security along its coastline.The inauguration of the production lines for the Seraj and Zolfaqar speedboats comes a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled Iran's home-built bomber drone, which he said would deliver "death" to Iran's enemies. State news agency IRNA reported that Seraj (Lamp) and Zolfaqar (named after Shi'ite Imam Ali's sword) speedboats would be manufactured at the marine industries complex of the ministry of defence. Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi opened the assembly lines, saying the vessels would help strengthen Iran's defence forces, IRNA said. "Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is relying on a great defence industry and the powerful forces of Sepah (Revolutionary Guards) and the army, with their utmost strength, can provide security to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and Strait of Hormuz," Mr Vahidi said. He issued a stern warning to Iran's foes. "The enemy must be careful of its adventurous behaviour and not play with fire because the Islamic Republic of Iran's response would be unpredictable," IRNA quoted him as saying. "If enemies attack Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran's reaction will not be restricted to one area. The truth of our defence doctrine is that we will not attack any country and that we extend our hand to all legitimate countries." Iran's arch-foes, the United States and Israel, have not ruled out taking military action over Tehran's controversial nuclear program. Iran has in the past threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, choking off some 40 per cent of tanker-shipped oil worldwide, in the event of a military attack. IRNA said Zolfaqar was a new generation missile-launching vessel which can be used for patrol as well as for attack operations. "It is designed for quick assaults on ships and is equipped with two missile launchers, two machine guns and a computer system to control the missiles," the report said. Fars news agency cited Mr Vahidi as saying that Zolfaqar was to be equipped with the Nasr 1 (Victory) marine cruise missile "which has high destructive power". Iran has previously said that the Nasr missile can destroy targets weighing up to 3000 tonnes. IRNA said Seraj, designed for a tropical climate, was also a swift assault vessel for use in the Caspian sea, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, adding that it can fire rockets and also be used in stormy seas. "Seraj is a fast moving assault rocket launcher using sophisticated and modern technology," Mr Vahidi was cited as saying by IRNA. The launch of the production lines comes as Iran marks its annual "government week", a period when it traditionally shows off its latest technological achievements. Posted by: tipper 2010-08-23 |
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