More saber-rattling. “Iran test-fires missiles in Persian Gulf,” by Ali Akbar Dareini for AP, July 9 (thanks to all who sent this in):
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles Wednesday during war games that officials said aimed to show the country can retaliate against any U.S. and Israeli attack, state television reported….
The report showed footage of at least three missiles firing simultaneously, and said the barrage included a new version of the Shahab-3 missile, which officials have said has a range of 1,250 miles and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead.
That would put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan within striking distance….
The report comes less than a day after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed fears that Israel and the United States could be preparing to attack his country, calling the possibility a “funny joke.”
“I assure you that there won’t be any war in the future,” Ahmadinejad told a news conference Tuesday during a visit to Malaysia for a summit of developing Muslim nations….
I expect he is probably right. The U.S. will not act — not before January 20, and President Obama certainly won’t after that.