http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8b419e2e-6aa1-11db-83d9-0000779e2340.html

Iran gives show of missile strength

By Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran

Published: November 2 2006 19:05 | Last updated: November 2 2006 19:05

Iran on Thursday began test-firing missiles carrying cluster warheads in the Gulf and
Sea of Oman, a move regarded as Tehran’s response to a recent naval exercise
organised by the US in the region.

On the first of 10 days of naval exercises – called “Great Prophet” – a range of missiles
including Shahab-2 and Shahab-3, Zalzal, Fateh 110 and Zolfaghar 73 were test-fired
“successfully” by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to domestic media.

State television reported the missiles had ranges between 300km and 2,000km.

“Firing a lot of missiles...shows Iranian experts’ capability in mass-producing weapons...
and the nation’s determination for Islamic resistance,” said Hossein Salami, commander
of the Revolutionary Guards’ air force. “This manoeuvre is merely for deterrence
and defence.”

Mr Salami said Shahab missiles were “fundamentally changed” and upgraded to carry
cluster warheads that could act like “hundreds of bomblets”. The television said the
optimised missiles could carry 1,400 bombs. “It is a present to all Muslim nations,”
he added.

The US, under the 2003 proliferation security initiative, organised a two-day naval
exercise last Monday, which involved 25 nations, designed to intercept ships carrying
weapons of mass destruction. Since the exercise came amid international tension
over Iran’s nuclear programme, it was considered as a warning to Tehran, although
the US denied this.

The United Nations Security Council is drafting a resolution to impose sanctions
against Iran for its failure to heed calls for suspension of uranium enrichment. The west
suspects Tehran wants nuclear weapons, but Iran insists it is pursuing a civil nuclear
programme for peaceful purposes.

Rahim Safavi, commander of the Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday the US-led
exercise lacked military value and was politically motivated.

●A US naval strike group has arrived in the Gulf region on a routine deployment,
but there has been no major build-up of American naval forces, a spokesman for the
US Fifth Fleet said on Thursday. He was responding to rumours in financial markets
that the US navy was amassing a large number of ships in the Gulf.