Press TV Article On Israeli Fears About Iran's New Ballistic Missiles
Below is the article as published on the Press TV website, followed by the full text or written questions and answers on which it was based.
Iran’s newly unveiled ballistic missile has triggered alarm in Tel Aviv: Analyst
Saturday, 27 May 2023 1:14 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 03 June 2023 1:23 PM ]
By Somayeh Khalili
The successful test launch of Iran’s indigenously built precision-guided ballistic missile Kheibar earlier this week has caused alarm in Tel Aviv, as it has the capability to evade the most advanced Israeli surveillance means.
Jim Kavanagh, a journalist and political commentator, made these remarks in an interview with the Press TV website on Friday, a day after the Kheibar missile, an upgraded version of the Khorramshahr-class missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers, (1,250 miles), was test-launched.
According to Iranian military officials, the missile unveiled on Thursday was one of the most advanced ballistic missiles ever designed by experts at the Aerospace Department of the Defense Ministry.
Kavanagh said the 12-minute launch time of the missile means it is “very fast” and “gives little time” for Israeli and American surveillance means, including satellites, “which are constantly aimed at Iran to react in time to prevent a launch”.
“Israel is extremely worried about such missiles,” he noted, adding that the regime has been “spoiled with impunity and does not want to lose it”.
The American analyst said the Israeli regime and the United States “certainly do not want to wait for Iran to develop solid-fueled long-range missiles that can be instantly launched.”
The launch ceremony of the new-generation missile was attended among others by Iran’s Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, who reaffirmed the commitment of armed forces to “defend the country”.
Kavanagh said there is a worry that these missiles “can now reach Israeli territory”.
“They also, it is reported, have radar-evading capabilities, which make them more likely they will get through air defenses. We must also mention the very important element of accuracy,” he asserted.
The US-based commentator further said he has not seen specific information about the accuracy of Kheibar and other newly-developed Iranian missiles, but said there have been huge improvements.
“For Israel and its patron, the United States, it is unacceptable that Iran—or any regional actor—would have the ability to inflict serious damage on Israel,” Kavanagh stressed.
“Israel must have the capability to inflict any damage it wants on Iran’s cities and facilities—including with nuclear weapons. Iran must not have the ability to inflict any serious damage on Israel with conventional weapons and missiles. That is Israeli and US policy, and they are adamant about it.”
Iran has established its reputation as a military heavyweight in the region, developing a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles in recent years, much to the consternation of Israel and the US.
Iran has, however, repeatedly maintained that its missile program is peaceful and defensive in nature.
Kavanagh said Iran’s weapons development and the demonstration of greater military capability and confidence has provoked fear in Tel Aviv, as they fear a “few accurate strikes” on Israeli military installations will force the Israeli settlers to “return to the West Bank – of the Hudson”.
“It is the capability of these weapons—not Iran’s non-existent nuclear weapons—that Israel and the US are worried about. That is why there will be no return to the JCPOA—because it’s really about the US insisting on limits to Iran’s missile capabilities,” he remarked.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/05/27/704188/Unveiling-Iran-Ballistic-Missile-Alarm-Israel
Full Text of Written Questions and Answers
Press TV questions numbered and italicized. My answers in block quotes.
1- What is your analysis of the launch time of the ballistic missile? In a situation where the Zionist authorities are talking about Iran's nuclear program, what message will the successful test of this missile have for the West, especially the Zionist regime?
The reports I have read say that the missile is liquid-fueled, which means it would take more time to launch than a solid-fueled missile, but also that it has a 12-minute launch time, which is very fast. That gives little time for Israeli and American surveillance means, including satellites, which are constantly aimed at Iran. to react in time to prevent a launch.
Israel is extremely worried about such missiles. It wants to be in the position of being able to launch military attacks on any country in the region without having to worry about suffering any serious damage in response. Israel has been spoiled with such impunity and does not want to lose it. Thus, the Israelis are more likely to pre-emptively attack and destroy such quick-launched missiles rather than risk having them around.
This is one of the “negative developments” Israel’s top military commander Halevi is referring to when he said, “Without going into details, there are possible negative developments on the horizon that could prompt action.” Israel and the U.S. certainly do not want to wait for Iran to develop solid-fueled long-range missiles that can be instantly launched.
2- Why are western countries sensitive about the range of Iran's missiles and is it of particular importance to them?
Obviously, the worry is that these missiles can now reach Israeli territory. They also, it is reported, have radar-evading capabilities, which makes it more likely they will get through air defenses.
We must also mention the very important element of accuracy. When the Houthis in Yemen were able to strike four precise bulls-eyes on Saudi oil fields from 1000 kilometers away, the Israelis and Americans knew that they were no longer contending with the kinds of missiles Hamas launches that land here and there without causing much damage. They knew that a big building like the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv could be. precisely targeted with technology available to Iran. Israel was now facing the loss of impunity.
I have not seen any specific information about the accuracy or these new missiles, but I have to presume there have been improvements in that regard.
For Israel and its patron, the United States, it is unacceptable that Iran—or any regional actor—would have the ability to inflict serious damage on Israel. Israel must have the capability to inflict any damage it wants on Iran’s cities and facilities—including with nuclear weapons. Iran must not have the ability to inflict any serious damage on Israel with conventional weapons and missiles. That is Israeli and U.S. policy, and they are adamant about it.
3- How do you evaluate Iran's missile and weapons developments in recent years and in your opinion, can it be said that despite the severe sanctions, our country has made significant progress in the field of weapons in these years and can have something to say in the region and in the world.
These missile and weapons developments are the real instigators of Israeli fear. With them, Iran has demonstrated increased military capability and confidence. Iran is signaling that it can no longer be intimidated. Iran knows it will suffer enormous damage in any conflict with Israel. It also knows—as does Israel--how little damage Israel can abide. As IRFC Commander Brig.-Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan once said: “Iran has encircled Israel from all four sides…if only one missile hits the occupied lands, Israeli airports will be filled with people trying to run away from the country.” A few accurate hits on military installations, including within and around Israeli cities, and a lot of Israel settlers will be returning to the West Bank—of the Hudson.
It is the capability of these weapons—not Iran’s non-existent nuclear weapons—that Israel and the U.S. are worried about. That is why there will be no return to the JCPOA—because it’s really about the U.S. insisting on limits to Iran’s missile capabilities. That is why there will be increased pressure for a military attack on Iran—because Israel cannot abide that Iran continue to improve its missile capabilities to the point where Iran cannot be prevented from seriously damaging Israel in retaliation. (Except that point may already have been reached.)
That is why I’m sorry to say, that, despite all the talk about an upcoming war with China, I think a US-Israel military attack on Iran—which has been prepared for at least 7 years--is more imminent. And because Iran has already developed such effective weapons, such confidence and capability, I fear that, in any such conflict, Israel will definitely use its most devastating weapons—nuclear bombs. Israel knows that these are the only weapons that will have a chance of forcing Iran into at least another decade of submission to Israel hegemony.