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How could Iran militarily close the Strait of Hormuz?

By Ali Omidi - posted Wednesday, 28 December 2011


2. Ballistic missiles which can be launched from the heartland.

The launchers of both are photovoltaic systems with accessories over-riding air and sea units and can be used to detect, identify and attack naval targetson self-reliance systems

Another kind of launcher can  hide inland 70 to 150 kilometers inside Iranian territory and even in Kerman Province, to cover  the Strait of Hormuz (of course hitting a specific target  requires coordination). These systems have been provided in large numbers to the Iranian army  and are ready for operation.

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Regarding ballistic missiles, China introduced these missiles to the world. Iran could thus obtain them and indeed, the Russians have claimed recently they too could use ballistic missiles against naval targets.

Three types of anti-ship ballistic missiles have been introduced to the Iranian army. They were named as:

  • Persian Gulf
  • Sejjil
  • Tondar

All have a large angle (more than 45 degrees from a horizontal path) with solid fuel enabling them to hit ships from above. They can resist electronic warfare. With  high speed at impact, high angles of attack, and a high volume of missile warheads they are made  to destroy vessels with high precision.

But perhaps the most notorious anti-ship ballistic missiles is Sejjil. The  targeting and guidance systems of this missile are  not clear, but its 2,000-kilometer range makes it capable  of reaching all targets. Its kinetic energy alone is enough to destroy any target; its warhead has at least 500 kg of explosives.The launchers of these missiles are going to be dispersed inside the territory for misleading the enemies' counter-operations or for electronic war.

E. Bombers and Helicopters

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The Iranian air force has been equipped with missiles having multiple deployment capabilities against naval targets in the Persian Gulf. These missiles include guided air-to-surface missiles, with optical, laser and radar powers. Iran has around 200 ready-for-combat aircraft with the  aims of engaging in air-to-air combat and targeting ships.

Helicopters can also be  used. A type of helicopter named Shahed 285 equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles and another type named  Mil 171 with the ability to fire long-range missiles are two examples. They can fly from many different areas  to create a military threat as well as threaten commercial fleets. Cobra attack helicopters, whilst old, have  proved to be effective in previous sea exercises. Some of these helicopters were equipped with Maverick missiles and  anti-ship missiles.

Other defense capabilities comprise flying boats,drones, modernizedartillery and rocket systemsthat can be deployed  withother Iranian conventional capabilities to block the Strait of Hormuz.

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Laurelle Atkinson  and Dr. Helen W. Dehn contributed by editing this article.



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About the Author

Dr Ali Omidi is Assistant Professor of International Relationsat the University of Isfahan-Iran.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Ali Omidi

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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