Iran Missile Arsenal: How quickly did Iran rebuild its missile and launcher capabilities despite war losses? Has Iran again strengthened its weapons arsenal with the help of China and Russia? Is permanent peace possible in the Middle East amid nuclear deal negotiations or will new tensions increase?
The situation in the Middle East may seem calm at the moment, but behind the scenes the arms race is more intense than ever. After the recent tension and limited military confrontation between America and Iran, the information that is now coming out is going to increase concern for the entire Gulf region.
According to new reports, despite the losses suffered in the war, Iran has rebuilt a large part of its military strength. Its network of missiles, drones and secret launchers is still active and that is why regional security experts are constantly keeping an eye on Iran’s military capabilities.
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How many missiles does Iran have left?
According to reports from American media outlets, Iran had a stockpile of approximately 3,000 ballistic missiles before the war. Although it suffered losses during the conflict, recent assessments suggest Iran has regained about 70 percent of its missile capability.
This means that at present it may have about 2,100 ballistic missiles. These missiles are considered capable of attacking at varying distances and many countries in the Gulf region are said to be within their range.
50 secret launchers activated again
According to CNN report, the US targeted 69 secret missile launchers of Iran during the military action. Despite this, Iran has reactivated about 50 of these launchers. Military analysts believe that secret launchers are the most important part of any country’s missile strategy, as they are extremely difficult to track and destroy in time. Through these launchers, rapid counter-attack can be carried out in case of war.
Iran also has thousands of Shahed drones
Apart from missiles, Iran’s drone fleet is also considered its biggest strength. Shahed drones in particular have caught the world’s attention in the last few years. According to reports, Iran has thousands of Shahed drones. These drones have the ability to attack over long distances at relatively low cost. Military experts say that drones are proving to be as effective as traditional weapons in modern warfare.
Which countries is Iran eyeing?
It has been indicated many times in the statements of Iranian officials that if there is a large-scale conflict in the future, then the countries of the Gulf region may also fall prey to it. According to media reports, Iran’s strategic eyes are on countries like UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. All these countries play an important role in regional politics and security equations.
Technical help received from China and Russia?
According to NBC News report, Iran’s defense production program has received indications of technical and industrial assistance from China and Russia. The report claims that some Chinese companies played a role in supplying parts and technology related to arms manufacturing, while Russia is also said to have received equipment and cooperation related to the defense sector. However, there has been no detailed official response from the countries concerned on these claims.
What did Trump say about China?
During his visit to Beijing in May, US President Donald Trump had claimed that China had assured him that it would not provide arms to Iran. However, no formal response was given by China on this statement of Trump, due to which many questions still remain on this issue.
Are America and Iran moving towards a nuclear deal?
A positive sign amid military tensions is that talks between the US and Iran regarding the nuclear deal are continuing. According to reports, Qatar and Pakistan are playing the role of mediator between the two countries. Some important conditions are being discussed in the proposed agreement. These are said to include keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping and international monitoring of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
What next for Middle East peace?
The strengthening of Iran’s military capabilities as well as the ongoing diplomatic talks, together, are taking the politics of the Middle East to a new turn. On one hand, the increasing stock of missiles and drones is increasing the concern of regional countries, while on the other hand, the possibility of a nuclear agreement can also open the way to reduce tension. In the coming months it will become clear whether the Middle East moves towards a new arms race or moves towards stability through diplomacy.
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