Iran Launches Production Of First Locally-Made Submarine

Dow Jones Newswires:

Iran Tuesday officially launched the production of its first locally built submarine, a craft capable of operating stealthily, state-run television reported. Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Imani was quoted as saying "the enemy would not be able to detect the submarine." He didn't elaborate. READ MORE

One submarine has apparently already been built and was shown on television Tuesday, cruising at sea level. The Defense Ministry has commissioned an unspecified number of the craft that's been dubbed "Ghadir." Ghadir is a site in the Arabian Peninsula that's holy to Shiite Muslims, the overwhelming majority of Iran 's 69 million people.

The submarine, which is capable of operating in the Persian Gulf and Oman sea waters, can launch both missiles and torpedoes at the same time, the television reported, without specifying the range of the projectiles.

In December, Iran announced the production of a line of stealth torpedoes that could be launched from helicopters, ships or submarines.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said the Islamic Republic will defend itself should the U.S. or archrival Israel initiate any aggression. Pressure has mounted on Iran recently with suspicion over its nuclear program which Washington suspects is aimed at building unconventional weapons -a charge Iranian officials vehemently deny.

U.S. President George W. Bush accused Iran of being "the world's primary state sponsor of terror," and although administration officials have said a military strike against Iran was not on the agenda, Bush has said no option would be taken off the table.

Israel also recently warned that it may consider a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear installations.

Iran already mass produces the Shahab-3 missile, capable of reaching Israel and U.S. forces stationed in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It also has since 1992 produced its own brand of tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.