Will European countries, once directly threatened by the Islamic Republic, continue to pursue business dealings with the mullahs and in effect finance weaponry that directly threatens them? Probably.
“Iran pushes to increase ballistic-missile range to cover Europe,” by Michael Segall, JNS, January 31, 2022 (thanks to the Geller Report):
While negotiations in Vienna on the nuclear issue continue sluggishly without a breakthrough, Iran continues to exert pressure and threaten the negotiating partners. Moreover, Iran is more than just implying that it has other options if no arrangement is reached, including linking the advanced nuclear capabilities it has reached in the past year and its ballistic missiles that could reach Europe.
A conservative Iranian newspaper close to the regime recently reported that a solid-fuel engine tested in Iran could increase Iranian missile range to 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles), threatening European countries. The newspaper also praised President Ebrahim Raisi’s government, which, unlike its predecessor, exhibits an uncompromising negotiating position with the West, particularly where developing Iran’s missile capabilities is concerned.
Through the recent engine tests and the launch of satellites at the end of December—in the midst of nuclear negotiations—Iran has made it clear that it does not intend to compromise on the issue of missile development.
Iran’s Farhikhtegan newspaper reported on Jan. 15 that Iran aspires to increase its ballistic-missile range and that its development of a 5,000-km. (3,000-mile)-range missile is “closer than ever.”2
The newspaper, which belongs to the Open University (Azad-e-Islami) and is associated with the conservatives of the Iranian regime, quoted recent remarks by Brig.-Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Corps. The paper interpreted his remarks as an indication that Iran plans to increase its range of ballistic missiles.
Hajizadeh announced a “successful test” of a new Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) engine called the “Raafe.”9 He appeared before clerics in Qoms and said that over the past two years, a series of tests had been carried out on a solid-fueled satellite launcher rocket.
He also revealed that the body of the new satellite launcher is of composite design, not metallic.10 The design and removal of liquid fuel pumps lighten the rocket, allowing for longer ranges or larger payloads. He added that Iran’s aviation and missile ability could not be curbed through “assassinations, threats and sanctions.”11
According to Farhikhtegan, the test indicates significant progress in the missile field. The newspaper added that although Iran has announced that it does not want to build ballistic missiles with a range of more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles), the new engine could allow it to pass that range and even approach the 5,000-km. (3,000-mile) range.
The newspaper recalled 2017 remarks by Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, to the Europeans that if they wanted to bring the issue of Iran’s missile capability into the nuclear talks, Tehran could increase its missile range so that the range would cover the distance between Iran and Europe.
The United States considers Iran’s satellite launchers to be a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which was approved in July 2015. According to the resolution, Iran was “called upon” not to take any action involving ballistic missiles “designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.”
Iran’s space programs, which were “dormant” under former President Hassan Rouhani, were accelerated as part of the Iranian response to the U.S. exit from the nuclear deal and now also serve as leverage for pressure on the West during the nuclear talks….
born saturday says
treason!!!
Don McKellar says
Don’t worry EU “leaders”, they’ll kill you last.
Walter Sieruk says
If the officials of the European Union actually believed any of the words and promises of the disingenuous and outright lying representatives of the Islamic “Republic” of Iran then the more fool them.
It’s amazing that men who must be intelligent enough to be EU official can be so terrible gullible and naive as to be taken , be beguiled.by false words , false premise and lies any spokesman of the agressive and hostile Islamic tyranny of Iran which despises all Western government , Western laws and all Westerners
When the officials of that “mullah regime” in any so called “negotiations” tell and promise the Iran only wants to go nuclear for “peaceful use” it’s an actual but terrible wonder that those UN officials could not or refused to see through the deliberate intentional those of the official representatives Islamic Iran.
Walter Sieruk says
Of course, those Muslims in power that Islamic “Republic” of Iran in their Islamic gall and belligerent spirit will and do have their military increase its ballistic -missile range to cover Europe.
For Ayatollah Khomeini and President Raisi of Iran along with the mullahs and other ayatollahs who have such a terrible control and influence upon the Iranian Parliament do hate all Western governments and likewise they passionately detest all Western civilization as well as the laws of Western civilization which they desire to replace with Sharia law.
Those bellicose and hostile Islamic clerics of such awful power in Iran with their Muslim stooges in the Iranian military and parliament is a serious threat to the people of the countries of Europe.
Furthermore, Raisi , Khomeini and the many mullahs and ayatollahs in their antagonistic attitude are well described in the Bible in Psalm 6-9. Which reads “Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.”
[N.I.V.]
raja says
It is not just the age of absurd as some believe, man in general has lost the mental balance to do any justice to fellow humans thereby inviting absurdity in the though process. Politicians are prime example of this, especially the elites of the West.
gravenimage says
We’ve seen stupidity and denial before–especially in the lead up to WWII. Always suicidally dangerous.
Westman says
Uhh, solid fuel rockets cannot be used as single-stage missiles. They must burn until the fuel is used. A 5000 mile solid-fuel missile, to reach Europe, makes no sense. The distance to Germany is only 2500 miles and even a parabolic path leaves leaves much unused fuel.
Precise velocity control and guidance, are also unlikely with solid-fuel stages. I call BS on Iran’s claim. It would take, at minimum, 2 stages to have a useful nuclear missile if the 1st stage is solid-fuel. A 5000 mile booster to reach Europe would be very wasteful and it would fall or rocket into in an unpredictable location because it can’t be turned off.
James Lincoln says
Westman,
Thank you for the added info.
Are you an engineer – or something similar?
PMK says
According to the article, Iran’s goal is to create a 5000 KM missile, which equates to about 3000 miles, not 5000. This suggests they want to reach deeper into Europe, maybe to France and Britain. Intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM) will be sufficient.
The desire for such weapons doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to nuke Europe. Such an act will result in Iran’s destruction. Missiles can carry conventional payloads that will do immense damage to a city. They can also carry biological weapons.
It’s doubtful that Europe will change its stance on Iran anytime soon. Business is business.
gravenimage says
Thank you for that information, Westman. Gee, Iran lying–who would have thought? sarc/off
Fitna says
Don’t worry the Leftards have got it all under control. They’re just calling Iran’s bluff. Once some European cities have been nuked and millions have been killed, they’ll be certain Iran is dangerous. Then they’ll send them some strongly worded letters and maybe give them $10 billion instead of $12 billion to really send a message that they’re tough and serious. /sarc
OLD GUY says
Iran is just a tool of the islamic ideology to control and rule the world. Islam will lie and cheat and deceive in its negotiations with non-islamic countries to always improve their position toward their goals. Islam will use the separation of the U.S. Russia and China to their advantage, playing one against the other. The big three should join in a coalition to shut down the rise of the Islamic regime. Islam is the true enemy of all three of these countries and the world.
gravenimage says
Iran working to increase the range of its ballistic missiles to cover Europe
…………..
Oh boy. Will Europe finally stop appeasing and enabling the Mullahs? Probably not…