By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran is planning to establish an independent headquarters of missiles, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported Wednesday, quoting a top military commander.
The agency quoted Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as saying that forming of an independent commandership of missiles aimed at strengthening the structure of the missile section.
“We should not allow the basic spirit of success and victory to be diminished in Revolution Guards”, Jafari said.
In order to face recent or potential threats, the revolution guards needs to be equipped and strengthened with the required technique, the commander added.
The announcement came amid reports that an armada of US and European warships will be deployed in the Gulf in an unprecedented build-up.
The IRGC completed military manoeuvres in the Gulf called Payambar-e-Azam III (Great Prophet III) in mid July to improve combat readiness and capability. The Islamic country also successfully test fired new long- and medium-range missiles during the drills.
Jafari had said early this month that Iran has tested a new advanced naval weapon, which is “unique in the world” and can target the enemy at the range of 300 km.
The US and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear programme, a charge Iran denies and insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
The Bush administration said it focused on diplomacy to try to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue, but insisted it will take “no option off the table”.
Some observers believe that it is possible that the US and Israel would attack Iranian targets for Tehran’s suspicious nuclear programme.