Archive Regime Change Iran: The Islamic Republic's Military

[9/10/06 - 9/16/06]

Los Angeles Times reported that U.S. military intelligence has determined that a video released by the Iranian government purporting to show a test of a new submarine missile is bogus. it matched a video of an earlier Chinese test. "It's the identical launch," a Pentagon official said. "The plume, everything, is the same."

[9/03/06 - 8/09/06]

Iran Focus reported that Iran’s air force has begun a series of military maneuvers in the north-western province of East Azerbaijan. During the drills, Iran’s air defense systems also successfully targeted and destroyed “enemy planes” in radar-blackout areas in Iranian airspace.
International Herald Tribune reported that Iran said it had tested a new air defense system to counter missiles and aircraft during large-scale military exercises.
International Herald Tribune reported that Iran said that it successfully tested laser-guided bombs during recent large-scale military exercises.
Forbes reported that Iran unveiled its first locally manufactured fighter plane, similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful."
DNA India reported that Iran announced that it has developed a 900 kg guided bomb named Ghased, or "Messenger."
Defense Industry Daily reported on the recent news of Iran's new indigenous Saegheh aircraft which they claim is "similar to the F-18 fighter jet. They shed a more sober and reasoned light on this new development.

[8/27/06 - 9/02/06]

MyWayNews reported that Iran test fired a new submarine-to-surface missile during war games in the Persian Gulf on Sunday. A brief video clip showed the long-range missile, called Thaqeb, or Saturn, exiting the water and hitting a target on the water's surface within less than a mile.

[8/20/06 - 8/26/06]

The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran on Sunday test-fired a surface-to-surface short-range missile a day after its army launched large-scale military exercises throughout the country. The "Saegheh... missile, has a range of between 80 to 250 kilometers."
The Washington Post reported that Iran test-fired 10 surface-to-surface short-range missiles, including a missile it claimed was not detectable by radar that can use multiple warheads.
Hindustan Times reported that Iran's massive military exercise will last five week's and Brig Gen Mohammad Hassan Dadras claimed: "no air force is capable of confronting the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
The Washington Post reported that a Romanian oil rig off the coast of Iran came under fire Tuesday from an Iranian military warship and was later occupied by Iranian troops.

[8/13/06 - 8/19/06]

Iran Focus reported that Iran will launch a new round of war-games later this week, putting on display new Iranian-make armaments.
World Tribune reported that Iran launched a new round of military exercises in an effort to test its new combat doctrine using weapons systems which were apparently tested in the recent war in Lebanon.
Threats Watch reviewed the latest developments in Iran as it relates to Ahmadinejad's promise of a response on the nuclear crisis August 22nd.
Ardeshir Dolat reported that according to a secret report to Khamenei, American and Israeli planes flew over Tehran in the past few nights. Disinformation?
Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the Iranian armed forces began their first stage of massive wargames code-named `Blow of Zolfaqar.' Various units of air-support Army chinook helicopters, unmanned planes, parachutists, electronic war units and special forces are participating in the maneuver.
Reuters reported that a senior Iranian army commander said the armed forces were prepared for any action by Israel after what Iran has called the Jewish state's defeat at the hands of Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrillas.

[4/30/06 - 5/06/06]

Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader appointed Brigadier General Morteza Rezai, a senior military intelligence official, as the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp.
Iran Focus reported that Iran said that the Gulf region was no longer safe for the "enemy."
MEMRI published videos and translations of an interview with Iranian Army Chief of Joint Staff General Abdorrahim Musavi who said: "We make our submarines ourselves ... that will serve us in battle with the enemy... with America. ... America's military power is greatly overestimated."
Bloomberg reported that Iran may be planning to respond to a strike against Iran's nuclear program with an effort to choke off oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

[4/09/06 - 4/15/06]

Seattle PI reported that spy planes that Iran claims to have shot down over its territory were not operated by the U.S. Air Force.

[4/02/06 -4/08/06]

Reuters reported that a senior Iranian naval commander Iran has test-fired a sonar-evading underwater missile that can outpace any enemy warship.
Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council reported that Iran is assembling a new class of hybrid intermediate ballistic missiles that bring nearly every city in Western Europe within striking distance.
Reuters reported that Iran test fired a new torpedo in the Strait of Hormuz that they claim are "capable of destroying enemy warships and submarines at any depth and moving at any speed." They added: "We are going to have very important news that will make our nation proud in the next few days."
The Financial Times reported that Iran’s announcement that it had tested a new torpedo in the Persian Gulf is driving up oil prices.
ABC News reported that Richard Clarke said: "The missile test may backfire. Iran is claiming that missile has multiple warheads...the only reason for having multiple warheads is if you have nuclear weapons."
The New York Times reported on Iran's space program and its application to ballistic missile development.
Reuters reported that Iran said it would test fire more missiles as part of a week of wargames in the Gulf.
RIA Novosti reported that the chief of Russia's General Staff said he could neither confirm nor deny reports that Ukraine had sold 250 nuclear warheads to Iran.
Bill Gertz, The Washington Times referring to Iran's tests of an older Scud missile variant last week reported that the Pentagon said Iran often exaggerates its military developments.
MosNews reported that the chairman of the Russian State Duma said that the latest demonstration of military force by Iran "is not quite appropriate now."
India Defence reported that Iran successfully tested a "super-modern flying boat" which Iran claimed: "no radar at sea or in the air can locate it. It can lift out of the water... and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."
Iran Focus reported that Iran test-fired a shoulder-launched rocket.
CNN News reported that Iran tested a second missile equipped with remote-control designed to sink ships.
SeattlePI reported that experts said of Iran's weapons tests that it appears much of the technology came from Russia.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that a top commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the current maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea aim to prepare the troops in case of attack by the U.S.
The Guardian reported that a top Iranian military official said Iran can now defend itself against any invasion.
Telegraph reported that while Iran announced another success: the launching of "the world's fastest underwater missile," the Russian Admiral Eduard Baltin, said Iran's torpedo announcement was little more than a bluff. "Shkval has no target designation devices. That is, it is not a self-homing torpedo. Besides, it leaves a trail, which makes it easy to spot and destroy."
MemriTV published video footage of an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy test of a flying boat and two missiles.
SeattlePI reported that the United States, Israel and the Gulf Arab states are now all worried about the same thing, Iran.
Asharq Al- Awsat reported on Iran's latest missile test which carried a message of "peace and friendship" and asked "so where exactly is the peace and amity message in this military demonstration?"
Iran Press News reported that some in Iran are advising the Islamic regime's ministry of defense to conduct military maneuvers with "the Islamic regime's attendant allies" such as Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, etc. near US waters.

[3/26/06 -4/01/06]

Rooz Online reported that military, intelligence, security and police forces in Iran have been put on alert during the Persian New Year holidays and that all leaves have been suspended.
Middle East Newsline reported that Britain continues to approve the export of military and security equipment to the Islamic republic.
Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces in western and south-western Iran close to the Iraqi border have been put on a heightened state of alert.
Yahoo News reported that thousands of Iranian troops will on Friday start a week-long military maneuver in the Gulf to ready armed forces for warding off "threats."
Times Online reported that Iran today test-fired a new missile with the ability to avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously.
Islamic Republic News Agency during a joint Iranian maritime war-game in the Persian Gulf, reported that: "One unit of Shahab 2 missile is to be launched to resemble peace and friendship among littoral states of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman."
Dow Jones Newswires reported that the U.S. State Department said Iran's successful test of a nuclear-capable missile demonstrates Iran's "very active and aggressive military program" that is worrisome to the world.
The Washington Post reported that Iran's armed forces on Friday successfully test fired a domestically produced missile which can evade radar, adding: "This technology is completely new, without copying any other missile systems that may exist in other countries."

[3/19/06 -3/25/06]

Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council reported that Yahya Rahim Safavi, commander of Iran's elite Pasdaran, told policymakers that, with the United States bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran is poised to become the natural inheritor of the Persian Gulf.
Iran Focus reported that Islamist militiamen affiliated to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have launched military exercises near the Iraqi border to “deal with possible unrest.”

[3/05/06 -3/11/06]

Mehran Riazaty reported that Iranian General Safavi, recently boasted: "Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps is strongest military power in the Middle East."
Iran Focus reported that a senior Revolutionary Guards commander dismissed threats by the United States over Iran’s nuclear program as a “political bluff.”
Defence Talk reported that Iran's armed forces have deployed a new locally-built submarine in Persian Gulf waters.
Iran Focus reported that Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said: "Iran’s enemies will not dare launch a military strike on the country’s nuclear installations because of the organized radical Islamists ready to defend the ruling theocracy."

[2/27/06 -3/04/06]

Middle East Newsline reported that Iran launched a Shihab-4 missile, designed to have a range of 4,000 kilometers. Watch out Europe.
Iran Focus reported that a senior commander in the Bassij has been named the new head of the IRGC’s secretive Ansar-ol-Mahdi Protection Corps, whose officers are entrusted with weapons of mass of destruction and terrorist activities beyond Iran’s borders.

[2/20/06 -2/26/06]

Iran Press News reported on the recent suicides of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

[2/13/06 -2/19/06]

Iran Press News reported on the widespread fear and distress among the Islamic regimes armed forces at the likelihood of a military strike.

[2/06/06 -2/12/06]

Middle East Newsline reported that Iran has quietly acquired three Su-25UBT twin-seat attack fighter-jets from Russia.
DefenceTalk.com reported that Iran secretly tested a new surface-to-surface missile (SSM) on January 17, seeking to establish the measurements needed for long-range missiles.
Iran Focus reported that Iran will buy several 30 Russian-made Tor M-1 surface-to-air missiles from Russia as part of its arsenal to protect its nuclear sites.

[1/30/06 -2/05/06]

The Australian reported that Iran secretly tested a new surface-to-surface missile and it was successful.

[1/23/06 -1/29/06]

Ali Nourizadeh, Asharq Al-Awsat examined Iran's military options and noted that Iranian General Kazemi had recently opposed a military confrontation with the US just prior to his sudden death.
Telegraph reported that the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, once again, has warned America and Britain that Teheran will respond with its missiles if attacked.

[1/16/06 -1/07/22]

Hamed Irani, Rooz Online discussed elements of a confidential report on last months C-130 air crash.
Israel Insider reported that Iran on Sunday commissioned its second domestically built submarine. Photo.
Counter Terrorism Blog reminded us that Iran had bought 18 disassembled BM-25 missiles from North Korea which can easily be launched from [a] freighter modified with launch tubes and blast channels.
Iran Focus reported that Brigadier General Hossein Salami, a senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards who once vowed that “no part of the Islamic world is going to be safe and secure for America” was named as the new head of the Guards’ Air Force.

[1/08/06 -1/07/15]

Iran Press News reported that Iranian Commanders of the army alarmed by political changes in Syria & Lebanon.
Rooz Online reported Haji Najjar, the acting director of the Political Bureau of the Joint Chief of Staff of the Passdaran Revolutionary Guards revealed that measures were underway to stockpile military preparedness and that there were “300 sensitive nuclear sites” in the country.

[1/01/06 -1/07/06]

IranMania reported that the fact finding team working on the C130 crash has delivered its report to Armed Forces Judiciary.

[12/25/05 -12/31/05]

Iran Focus reported the Commandant of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) warned of the “threats” by foreign and domestic enemies.

[12/18-12/24]

The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran recently acquired 12 cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers.
Xinhuanet reported that Russia will fully comply with a deal with Iran to supply it with the Tor-M1 air defense systems despite US objections.
MosNews reported that Iran is interested in developing military-technical cooperation with Russia.

[12/11-12/17]

Newsweek International reported on the new military capabilities Iran will gain from its billion dollar purchase of Russian weapon systems.
Israelinsider.com reported that Iran commissioned its second domestically built submarine, a craft that can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously.
Daily Times Pk reported that Iran has successfully tested surface-to-sea missiles with a range of 110 kilometres.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur:German intelligence believes Iran has now bought 18 longer-range missiles from North Korea, giving Teheran the capability to attack targets in central Europe.

[12/04-12/10]

The World Tribune a new report published the by U.S. Army War College said geopolitical limitations render Israel's air force militarily incapable of halting Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Yahoo News reported that Israeli Netanyahu hinted that he could consider a pre-emptive air strike against Iran's nuclear installations.
Expatica reported that Israel would have to prepare "other solutions" in view of Iran's nuclear program.
Iran Press News reported on extensive changes in the Revolutionary Guards.
Iran Focus reported that the Supreme Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) declared on Tuesday that the United States would suffer a greater defeat in Iraq than it did in its war in Vietnam.
Rooz Online reported that IRGC commanders demanded a greater role in the government. Ahmadinejad promised them more positions in the future.
The Billings Gazette reported that Iran's armed forces began their biggest ever military maneuvers Friday in the Persian Gulf involving submarines, warships, missiles, jet fighters and helicopter gunships.

[11/27-12/03]

DEBKAfile reported that Iranian Military instructors have slipped into Lebanon with a new anti tank missile.
CNN.com reported that Iran's space agency is trying to snap up technology from abroad as fast as possible.
Iran Focus reported that the Commandant of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) declared that Iran was exporting its Islamic revolution which would inevitably bring about the downfall of the United States in the Middle East.
Eli Lake, New York Sun reported that Iranian Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi told reporters that his side is winning in Iraq.
Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered a major reshuffle of the top brass of the armed forces in anticipation of a very tough year ahead.

[11/13-11/19]

Middle East Newsline reported that Iran was said to have nearly completed another intermediate-range missile capable of striking most of Europe. The so-called Ghadr missile was said to have a range of up to 3,000 kilometers.
The Washington Post reported that Iran said its first satellite is capable of spying on the Jewish state.
The Associated Press reported that an Israeli diplomat claims Iran has supplied Hezbollah with more than ten-thousand short-range rockets.

[11/06-11/12]

Mehr News reported that Armed Forces commander Major General Ataollah Salehi said: If we manage to acquire acceptable faith and spirituality, we can undoubtedly acquire military power, too.

[10/30-11/05]

Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council reported that Iran’s clerical army is going back to school and that the Islamic Republic is planning changes in the “structure, doctrines, and strategies” of the IRGC.

[10/23-10/29]

BBC News reported that Iran launched its first satellite into space from Plesetsk in northern Russia on Thursday. Now they have an eye in the sky.
Iran Press News reported that a delegation has been sent by the regime's authorities to Russia in order to purchase Russian helicopters and Topolov airplanes.
World Tribune reported that Iran has sent its first satellite into space and have achieved limited space reconnaissance capability over the entire Middle East, including Israel.

[10/16-10/22]

Con Coughlin, Telegraph reported that the Russians help Iran with missile threat to Europe.
Yahoo News reported that Russia will put Iran's first ever satellite into space next week.

[10/09-10/15]

Iran Press News reported that Revolutionary Guard Kowsari, the Director of the office of the Armed Security Forces said: We know all of our various enemie's weak spots and we know just how to deal with them. Today we are equipped with people who are martyrdom-seekers, who can seriously damage these weak spots.
Bill Gertz, The Washington Times reported new worries about Iranian military forces' deploying new specialty weapons that threaten oil supplies.

[10/02-10/08]

Iran Press News reported onthe disastrous 3-day military maneuvers conducted by the Basij and Revolutionary Guards. They expected 20,000 Basij to take part but on only 1400 showed up and all did not go well among those that did.
Jane's Defense Weekly is reporting that the Russian launch of Iran's first spy satellite has been delayed due to a malfunction.
Middle East Newsline reported Britain is continuing to approve the export of military and security equipment to the Islamic republic.

[9/25-10/01]

SMCCDI reported that the Islamic regime is making more changes in its top military command. The regular Iranian Army is falling completely in the hands of commanders of the IRGC.
IranMania reported that Iran's Supreme Leader appointed six commanders to new posts in shake up in the hierarchy of Army of the Islamic Republic.
The Dawn reported a Pakistani, convicted of exporting missile parts to Iran almost 20 years ago, is being accused in a San Diego court of conspiring to smuggle jet engine components. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Iranian Air Force has both T-38s and F-5s.

[9/18-9/24]

Claude Salhani, The Washington Times asked: Is Iran preparing for war with the United States?
IsraCast reported that Iran will launch a Spy Satellite by the end of September.
Iran Press News reported that the Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Rahim Safavi said: The enemy better comprehend that the regime is not solely a regional power but a world power.

[9/11-9/17]

Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the Supreme Leader appointed Major General Ataollah Salehi to the post of general commander of the Army.
Iran Focus reported that Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri said: If the U.S. attacks Iran, each of America’s states will face a crisis the size of Katrina.
WorldNetDaily fears that Iran's military is preparing an EMP attack on the U.S. The effect would be far more devastating than Katrina.

[9/04-9/10]

Iran Press News quoted saying: Massoud Jazayeri, spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard

The slightest action taken by the United States vis a vis this matter will turn every single one of that country's states, into a disaster area.

[8/21-8/27]

SMCCDI reported the Islamic regime is tightening its control over its military forces.
Iranmania reported that the cabinet nominee for the Defense Ministry said: Iran's main military objectives are the development of its air defense as well as its ballistic missiles.
Iranian.ws reported that Iran is preparing to spend billions more on missile warfare.
DEBKAfile reported that Iran’s new defense minister, Mostafa Mohammad-Najar, brigadier general in the Revolutionary Guards, has packed a lurid, blood-spattered biography into his 49 years. A profile.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that Iran appointed a new chief for the air force component of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards Thursday. Gen. Alireza Zahedi.
Kuwait News Agency reported that the Air force will knock enemies down if Iran is attacked, warned Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi.

[8/14-8/20]

IRIB Newsreported that a Chinese military delegation is expected to arrive in Tehran on Monday.
Iranian.ws reported that Iran received a military delegation from China in which Brigadier General Nasser Mohammadi-Far, the commander of the Iranian army's ground forces said, Our mutual enemies possess advanced military technology, and undoubtedly they would rely on this technology in any possible future wars. Therefore, it seems necessary that both Iran and China upgrade their defense and military technology.

[8/07-8/13]

EurasiaNet provided a briefing on the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and its expanding role in Ahmadinejad's government.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran said it has improved the range and accuracy of its Shihab-3 missile, saying the weapon can strike targets as far away as 2,000 kilometers with an accuracy of within one meter.
Rooz Online published the words of admiral Ali Shamkhani in his farewell address as he leaves the Department of Defense. The words of 1979 put the priority on the deprived while its foreign manifestation is the challenging the bullies.

[7/30-8/06]

Middle East Newsline reported that Iran has asserted that its enhanced Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile can strike targets at distances of nearly 2,000 kilometers. Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani was quoted as saying, the liquid-fuel Shihab could also be fitted with a nuclear warhead.
Iran Press News reported that Iranian Commander Saffari, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Navy said "If the Americans and Europeans are not judicious and act disrespectfully, overstepping their boundaries, 'the people' wouldn’t for a moment, hesitate to chop off that [overstepping] leg..."

[7/24-7/29]

Haaretz Daily reported that Iran confirmed for the first time that it has fully developed solid fuel technology in producing missiles.
Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iran's Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani stressed Iran's readiness to confront military attacks.

[7/03-7/09]

The Washington Times reported that Ahmedinejad said his country needs a strong army to "form a great resource for the country and its people." He added that Iran was "pivotal in bringing security to the Islamic world."
St Petersburg Times reported that Russia is reportedly in talks to upgrade three Iranian submarines with missile weapons systems.
BBC News reported that the Iranians plan to train Iraq's Military.
Radio Free Europe reported that a U.S. court has sentenced an Iranian national to nearly five years in prison for trying to export parts for F-4 and F-14 jet fighters.

[6/26-7/2]