WHAT IRAN HAS TO FEND OFF US-ISRAELI MISSILE OR DRONE ATTACK

The Islamic Republic already demonstrated its air defense capability on June 20, 2019, when forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down a U.S. RQ-4A Global Hawk BAMS-D surveillance drone that violated Iranian airspace near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says that the Global Hawk was downed with its developed surface-to-air missile (SAM) system Khordad-3.

As a part of its multi-layered air defense, Iran employs a variety of short-, medium- and long-range systems. Earlier, the core of Iran’s air defense was foreign-made systems, including Russian, Chinese, and even US models. Today, Iranian air defense actively employs domestically produced systems. Most of foreign systems were locally modernized. The most capable foreign air defense system acquired by Iran is the Russian-made S-300, the delivery of which was completed in 2016. The most-widely known Iranian indigenous SAMs are the Bavar-373, the Khordad-15 and the Khordad-3.

The Bavar-373 is a multi-channel long-range SAM system created in Iran. According to the Iranian military, the system has a range of up to 200 km and altitude of up to 27 km. It is reportedly capable of hitting stealth air targets, cruise missiles and even warheads of ballistic missiles. Official Teheran says that the Bavar-373 is superior to the Russian S-300 and only slightly inferior to the S-400.

In 2019, Iran unveiled the medium-range SAM system Khordad-15. The system is capable of detecting fighter jets, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in a range of 150km and track them within a range of 120 km. The Sayyad-3 missile, employed by the system, has a range of 200 km. The Khordad-15 reportedly can detect stealth targets in a distance of 85 km and can intercept and destroy them within a range of 45km.

There are more SAM systems of Iranian design: Talash and Raad. Each unit of the Talash system includes three vehicles, a truck carrying Patriot-style missile launchers and two command and control vehicles. The Talash-1 is employed for low and medium altitudes, the Talash-2 – for medium to high altitudes, and the Talash-3 – for high and very high altitudes. The Talash-2 can engage targets at a range of up to 120 km, and an altitude of up to 27km. Some sources say that the Talash concept originates from the Patriot.

The Raad SAM family externally resembles the Russian Buk and Buk M2 systems. According to Iranian sources, it is designed to confront hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, smart bombs, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system’s Taer-2 missiles can trace and hit targets in ranges up to 50 km and in altitudes of up to 25-27 km. Another missile employed by the SAM is the Sayyad-2. It has a range of 75km and a top altitude of 30. The most modern version of this SAM system is the Khorad-3 employed against the US Global Hawk in June.

The development of these systems is the visible demonstration of successes of the Iranian military industrial complex. Pro-Iranian sources say that Iran successfully joined the United States, China and Russia in the club of the countries capable of producing effective long-range SAM systems. However, the tactical and technical data of the latest Iranian SAMs that are presented in the open press is very limited, and there are almost no data on the probability of interception of various types of targets. The degree of protection of Iranian SAMs from electronic warfare also remains a question. Accordingly, their real combat capabilities in the event of an armed conflict with a high-tech enemy cannot be estimated using the existing data. Another question is how successful can Iran’s multi-layered air defense be against combined drone, ballistic and cruise missiles strikes that Saudi Arabia experienced during the past years.

Representatives of the Trump administration, including the US president himself, repeatedly threatened Iran with a military action. However, no threats were ever turned into reality, even in a form of a symbolic move like the US missile strike on Syria’s Sharyat airfield. The US stance of empty threats and symbolic gestures is likely not a result the powerful Iranian air-defenses nor Washington’s attempts to avoid an open military escalation in the region. During the years of sanction pressure and military threats, Iran developed a complex asymmetric warfare doctrine. This doctrine provided the Iranian leadership with a number of means and measures that it can employ to deliver a painful blow to its adversaries, which consist primarily of the Israeli-US-Saudi alliance. Therefore, the cost of a military aggression against the Islamic Republic in the current conditions appears to be too high for sides that could be involved.

Dichotomy of days: Reflections on remembrance of a tragedy

By: Yuram Abdullah Weiler

TEHRAN, Jul. 07 (MNA) – “There is little doubt that even before the deal’s existence, Iran was violating its terms.” —White House Press Statement, July 1, 2019.

July third is a very somber day of heartbreaking remembrance for the Islamic Republic of Iran, which stands accused of not living up to the terms of an agreement that was scuttled by the mercurial Washington regime. In a jarring contrast, July fourth for the United States is a raucous day of celebration, which includes a gaudy military parade in Washington and ubiquitous fireworks to mark America’s independence day. For me personally, contemplating the dichotomy between the two days results in didactic tension that is almost indescribable.

Mainstream western media still scarcely acknowledge the horrible tragedy that occurred in the Persian Gulf thirty one years ago when the USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian civilian airliner, killing all 290 passengers on board, including 66 children. The trigger-happy skipper of the Vincennes, who was awarded with a medal of honor a year later, was neither brought to justice nor expressed either remorse or regret for this sanguinary slaughter. Describing the unimaginable carnage displayed in a makeshift morgue in a cold storage warehouse in Bandar Abbas hastily set up in the aftermath of the US missile assault, Robert Fisk writes, “There are fifty-eight intact corpses here, fringed by a row of human remains so terrible that they could only be described in a doctor’s report or a medical journal.”

Recently, the Pasdaran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that now is also on the Washington regime’s terrorist list, shot down a US RQ-4A Global hawk, or possibly a more sophisticated and brand new MQ-4C, spy drone, which had violated Iran’s territorial air space over Hormozgan Province near the village of Kuhmobarak. Before blowing the intruder to smithereens, the IRGC issued multiple warnings to US forces, which ignored them all, the last of which was a full ten minutes before engagement in order to allow time for the Americans to correct their blunder. Furthermore, the IRGC chose not to engage a Boeing P-8 Poseidon plane that was pacing the drone, thereby compassionately sparing the 35-member crew onboard. 

US officials were understandably shaken by the downing of their spy drone, particularly if initial reports claiming the aircraft to be an MQ-4C are correct since it flies at extremely high altitudes in the range of 18,000 km. In any case, even if the aircraft was the older RQ-4A, the targeting by the IRGC was quite an accomplishment, since this drone has similar capabilities. In retaliation, an attack on three Iranian targets, presumably military facilities, was planned and in progress, but was aborted by the White House at the last minute following an unexpected burst of cynical compassion over the anticipated deaths of 150 people as a result of the raids. 

In calling off the strikes, Trump stressed that no Americans had been killed in the downing of the drone. However, he stated “We didn’t have a man or woman in the drone.” Had even a single American been killed Trump intimated, “It would have made a big, big difference.” So one dead American apparently justifies attacks on three Iranian anti-aircraft defense facilities.  If this is the case, and given “All men are created equal,” as proclaimed in the US Declaration of Independence, then the killing of 290 people on Iran Air Flight 655 should, by this calculus, justify retaliatory attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran on 870 US military assets, I would conjecture. All men are created equal, right? I see no exceptions here for Iranians; what is justifiable for America should be justifiable for Iran.

Meanwhile, the US president, along with his senior adviser daughter, has engaged in numerous photo-ops at the G20 summit with other world leaders, who, despite their off-the-record criticism of the current occupant of the White House, nonetheless seem to flock to him like self-effacing courtiers used to cluster around “His Imperial Majesty”, the former dictator of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. All of this swarming and fawning was typical and expected, given the context of an importunate, bullying egomaniac among spineless sycophants and those afflicted with hyper-inflated egos. No doubt, the former reality TV star turned leader of “the free world” used the numerous opportunities presented to hawk his illustrious brand name, which I prefer not to mention repeatedly out of empathy for the reader.

But when I learned of the draft-dodger-in-chief’s trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea for another photo-op, this time with Kim Jong-un, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, something inside of me smoldered with outrage. I myself had been stationed right there in Korea, three miles south of the DMZ at Camp Jessup in Munsan, in 1969 and 1970. I drove my commander, the late Col. Samuel B. Spicely (d. 2016), up to the DMZ in a jeep and we both had to don flak jackets and steel helmets to do so. I had no choice at the time, other than to go AWOL (absent without leave) and leave the country; I knew one E8 master sergeant who actually did just that. In those days, the US had a conscript army, and draftees had the choices of leaving the country, going to jail or reporting for duty.  

At the same time, the present US commander-in-chief managed to get himself a 4F medical deferment for “bone spurs,” but I passed the army physical and was inducted: poor eyesight, flat feet and all. It was not about patriotism, believe me.  By then, I had realized the American war in Vietnam was, at a minimum, unwinnable, if not immoral and illegal. Like the pusillanimous US president and national security adviser John “chicken hawk” Bolton, I had no desire to have my brains blown out in a rice paddy in Vietnam, either. Nevertheless, I felt that I had a responsibility to serve the country of my birth.  Besides, if I had chosen to hightail it to Canada I would have had to leave my family and friends behind. That would have been especially hard on my mother who had cancer and died a year later.

As for Mike Pompeo, who was touted as a 1991 Gulf war veteran by no less than 51 members of congress during his congressional confirmation hearings for his appointment as secretary of state and previously as CIA director, it seems that he did not see combat service there at all, at least according to the CIA. So how ironic is it that this timorous troika, Trump, Bolton and Pompeo, is pushing hard for war with Iran, when two of them are draft-dodgers and none of them has had to face real combat?

This pathetic state of affairs would almost be laughable, were it not for the fact that the valiant people of Iran are suffering due to the injustices being imposed upon them by the chauvinistic chimeras of these bellicose blowhards. Unfortunately these importunate ideologues happen to be the overseers of the largest, best armed and most lethal military force that the world has ever seen. I hope and pray that Trump will be satisfied from playing army with his soldiers and tanks on the fourth of July, and not be tempted to unleash them on someone else’s country.

These are some of my thoughts on these dichotomous days of July 3 and 4. May Allah protect the Islamic Republic of Iran, and save us all from these psychotic human shaytans in Washington and their diabolical enablers in the Zionist entity, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

Ayat. Khamenei hails IRGC, Army for pushing back terrorism in region

TEHRAN, Apr. 17 (MNA) – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution attached great importance to fraternity between the Army and the IRGC that came after the US's hostile move in designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity.

According to the official website of Iranian Leader 'Khamenei.ir', ahead of the National Day of the Army, commanders and senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army as well as a group of commanders and staff members of the Ground Forces met with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei this afternoon April 17, 2019.

While meeting with the commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army and Ground Forces today (Wednesday), Ayatollah Khamenei called today’s Army more committed to the religion and more efficient than ever before, and praised the vital and effective involvement of the Army and the Armed Forces in providing relief to the flood-stricken areas.

He stressed the need for increased unity among the Armed Forces, regarding as favorable the gesture of fraternity between the Army and the IRGC that came after the US's blatant act against the IRGC in designating the organization as a terrorist entity.

Ayatollah Khamenei reminded his audience by stating that any action that infuriates the enemy is appropriate and correct; whereas, any action that makes the enemy more blatant and stronger in spirit must be avoided.

Congratulating the honorable staff of the Army and their families on the National Day of the Army and Ground Forces in this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei regarded the Armed Forces as symbols and elements of national power and added "of course, in many countries, even in the countries that claim to advocate freedom and human rights, the Armed Forces are agents of dictators’ authority and confronting the nations, an example of which can be seen in the case of Saturdays in Paris [yellow vests movement]."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution dubbed the Armed Forces as ‘security guards for the nation’ according to the logic of Islam and the Islamic Republic, and went on to say "during a war, the Armed Forces stand up to the enemy’s invasion with knowledge, experience, and self-sacrifice, defeating the enemy and making it retreat. At the time of peace, the army brings reassurance and peace of mind to the nation with complete preparedness and efficacy. That is why the enemies seek to disturb the people’s peace of mind by presenting the Armed Forces as distressed."

He referred to the relief operation by the Army and the Armed Forces for the people during natural disasters as an effective and vital involvement and asserted, saying "in the recent floods, the Armed Forces engaged in assisting the people with their full potentials and capacities, to the point that in the province of Golestan the Army presented themselves in the area even before the Crisis Management Organization.

The Leader praised the Army of the Islamic Republic for staying true to Islamic values and stated "by the grace of the Islamic Republic, the Army is an Army based on religious principles and an exhibition of Islamic values. Examples like martyrs Babaee and Sayyaad Shirazi exist in the Army, representing role models for the nation and even the Islamic Ummah in terms of productivity, commitment, humbleness, self-sacrifice and lack of interest in fame. These values and spirit should be encouraged increasingly day after day."

The Leader of the Revolution went on to say "today’s Army is more committed to religion and more productive than ever before. Today, the Army is governed by revolutionary and pious forces. Those who are used to humiliating the nation and praising the betrayers, constantly talk of the ‘modern army of Reza-Khan’, whereas, that so-called modern army failed to resist the invasion of foreigners even for one day. However, the powerful Army of the Islamic Revolution resisted for eight years in a war; and today, the Army’s knowledge, morale, experience, capability, religious commitment and trusteeship is more than before and a source of honor."

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Iranian Armed Force’s role in the fight against ISIS as unparalleled and maintained "of course, each of the involved countries took the necessary measures, but the role that the Armed Forces of Iran played cannot be ignored. Thus, today, besides the Iranian nation, other countries have benefited from the blessings of the Iranian Armed Forces."

Trump’s unprecedented illegal move against IRGC

By Hazar Vural

TEHRAN, Apr. 10 (MNA) –To designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization is the last illegal unprecedented move of US President Donald Trump against IRGC as a 40 years old segment of an internationally recognized state.

Labeling part of a recognized state as a terrorist organization does not comply with the international law and the charter of the United Nations. USA’s regional allies such as Saudi Arabia are supporting this move because they see the Trump’s move in favor of their regional ambitions.

All the US administration’s moves in the Middle East despite global opposition including the White House decision on the holly city of Jerusalem, recognition of Golan Heights as a Israel territory, supporting the YPG despite Turkey’s warnings and strengthening the embargoes on Iran makes two things crystal clear once again. Firstly, US is not withdrawing from the region just changing its tools and secondly tensions will increase in the Middle East. Power is still the ultimate source. From a realist perspective, interests of a country can comes first than global acceptance or values. But world is changing also Middle East.

Iran’s response to Trump’s decision was quick. Iran declared CENTCOM as a terrorist organization. Iranian foreign Minister Javad Zarif described the US move as “a gift to Netanyahu” and said, “It is another gift to Israel and US misadventure for the region”.

Another question coming into mind is that, “How can this decision be taken when IRGC forces support the fight against ISIL?”

This kind of tries, is an effort for the balance of power in the region. USA tries to roll back Iran. Essentially, efforts like this are dangerous and may result in increasing the tensions. It has to be realized that these policies no longer valid.

As a result, this is a fact that regional peace is not related to these kind of moves and they will just increase the tensions. For the benefit of the regional countries, Iran will defeat these aggressive moves via wisdom and calmness.

Hazar vural is a Middle East expert & researcher in Turkey based TASAM think tank.

US' plots against IRGC to boomerang on them: Leader

TEHRAN, Apr. 09 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei said the US vice and deceit against the IRGC will boomerang on them, leading the enemies of the Islamic Republic to go "down the drain."

He made the remarks Monday night while addressing a host of IRGC personnel and their families in Tehran, on the eve of the auspicious birth anniversary of Imam Hussain (a.s), which marks the National Day of Guards. 

His remarks were in reaction to Washington's move to designate IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday. In retaliation, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has designated American forces in West Asia, known as the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), as a "terrorist organization."

The reason behind the US's animosity against IRGC is the force's pioneering role in defending the country and the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, adding, "the US and other ignorant enemies have done anything they could against the Islamic Republic of Iran, yet they failed to achieve a single thing. Today, the Revolution and the Islamic Establishment have become powerful in the region and the world."

Ayatollah Khamenei regarded IRGC as an eminent entity at the forefront of encountering enemies on various arenas, saying, "IRGC leads the fight in operational fields, confronting the enemies at our borders; and even thousands of kilometers away from the frontiers, around the shrine of Lady Zainab (s.a.); as well as in political confrontations with enemies."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described that asset as the main reason behind the US' animosity against the IRGC, and added, "US officials wishfully plot against the IRGC and actually against the Islamic Revolution and maneuver mischief. Undoubtedly, such ferocities won’t get them anywhere. Their vice and deceit will boomerang on them, leading the enemies of the Islamic Republic such as Trump and those around him at the US ruling apparatus to go down the drain."

He mentioned the forty years of animosity against the Islamic Republic and the progress the revolution made in spite of it as a sign of the US's weakness in hindering the movement of the Iranian nation and stated, "for forty years, the enemies of beloved Iran have imposed great amounts of all types of political, economic and propaganda pressure on the nation; yet they have failed to achieve anything even when the revolution was newly formed."

Referring to the leading position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say, "contrary to the assumptions of the enemies, the dignity and power of the Islamic establishment today do not emerge from atomic bombs, as from the beginning we have emphasized that nuclear weapons violate our religious principles and we do not need nukes. Thus, today’s dignity and sovereignty of the Iranian nation in the eyes of the Muslim world derives from the people’s resistance, self-sacrifice, and insightful awareness."

Finally, Ayatollah Khamenei asserted that this honorable movement will continue via proper understanding as well as acting based on duties, and stated, "undoubtedly, the Revolution will progress, but everyone—including people from all walks of life, in particular the young individuals, as well as the IRGC, the Armed Forces and government agencies—should appropriately identify their roles and follow the pious role models offered by divine figures, such as the noble Imam Khomeini (r.a.), to act for the cause of God and perform their duties."